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How to Use a Metered Dose Inhaler With a Spacer

By Kathleen MacNaughton, R.N., About.com

Updated: December 5, 2006

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by Sanja Jelic, MD

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Make Sure You Don't Run Out of Medicine!

Photo courtesy of A.D.A.M.

MDI Spacers

A.D.A.M.
If your metered dose inhaler runs out without you realizing it, whether you use a spacer or not, your asthma symptoms could worsen, and you might even have an asthma attack. You don't want that to happen!

But it can be hard to tell how much medicine remains in a metered dose inhaler because you can't see through the metal canister. Putting it in water to see if it floats is NOT the way to find out, either. Instead, follow these instructions to keep track of your medicine and when it needs to be refilled.

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