A puffer, or pressurised ‘metered dose inhaler’ (MDI), is the most common type of inhaler.  

When using an MDI puffer, remember to inhale the medicine slowly and deeply.  

Puffers can also be used with a spacer to get more of the medicine into the lungs. See tips below for how to use a spacer with your puffer.

HOW TO USE A SPACER

Spacers can only be used with pressurised metered dose inhaler (MDI) puffers. Pressurised MDI puffers work by pressing down on the metal canister to get a dose of your asthma medicine.  

Spacers won’t work with breath-activated puffers, such as Accuhaler, Autohaler, Breezhaler, Ellipta, Respimat, Spiromax, and Turbuhaler. 

Find out here why we think using a spacer is a good idea. 

There are two techniques (ways)for using a spacer and both work well. 

1 (deep) breath technique – most common for adults in daily use 

4 breath technique – helpful for all people when feeling breathless (short of breath). Recommended for Asthma First Aid, during flare-ups and for children. 

No matter what technique you are using, make sure you only put one puff of medicine into your spacer at a time.

Why? If you put in more than one puff, some of the medicine sticks together and then drops to the bottom of the spacer before you have time to breathe it in. 

HOW TO CLEAN YOUR SPACER

How to use a Spacer with a mask 

Using a mask with a spacer helps make sure that the asthma medicine is taken in through the mouth or nose. A spacer and mask is used for children under 4 (or any other people) who may find it harder to take a breath in through their mouth. 

How to use a disposable cardboard spacer 

These spacers can be handy for First Aid kits and when out and about. They have a limited number of uses with a puffer and need replacing regularly. 

Both spacers and masks are available in our online shop. 

HOW TO USE A PUFFER

CLEANING YOUR PUFFER DEVICE

Blue/grey reliever puffers require cleaning every week to prevent becoming blocked from a build-up of medicine. 

Download cleaning your puffer device pdf here.

To clean your puffer:

1. Remove the metal canister and dose counter from the plastic casing (actuator) of the puffer and remove the mouthpiece cover
2. Rinse the actuator thoroughly under warm running water
3. Dry the actuator thoroughly inside and out
4. Replace the metal canister and the mouthpiece cover.

PLEASE DO NOT PUT THE METAL CANISTER IN WATER.

If you have any other reliever or puffer device, please follow instructions for that device.

CONTACTS

The manufacturer of Ventolin is GlaxoSmithKline Australia Pty Ltd (GSK). To report any problems with the new devices with dose counter please contact GSK Medical Information on 1800 033 109.

The supplier of Asmol and Zempreon is Alphapharm Pty Ltd. To report any problems with the new devices with dose counter please contact Alphapharm on 1800 274 276.

You can report concerns to the Therapeutic Goods Administration, see here https://www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems

Feel free to call us too on 1800 ASTHMA (1800 278 462).