An AeroChamber is a tube-shaped device that attaches to your metered-dose inhaler and holds the medication in a small chamber so you can breathe it in at your own pace. Using one correctly takes about 30 seconds per puff and dramatically improves how much medication actually reaches your lungs. Here’s exactly how to do it.
Why an AeroChamber Matters
When you use an inhaler on its own, timing is everything. You have to press down and breathe in at precisely the right moment, at precisely the right speed. Most people don’t do this well, and the result is that a large portion of the medication hits the back of your throat instead of traveling deep into your airways.
An AeroChamber solves this by catching the spray and holding it in suspension so you can inhale it over a few seconds rather than a split second. In clinical testing, people who used an AeroChamber got roughly 40 to 45 percent more medication into their lungs compared to using the inhaler alone. The benefit was even larger for people with poor inhaler technique: those who struggled most with a bare inhaler saw lung delivery increase by as much as 70 to 89 percent when they added a chamber. At the same time, the chamber filters out the larger, heavier droplets that would otherwise coat your mouth and throat, reducing side effects like thrush from steroid inhalers.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Adults
Before your first use, wash the AeroChamber in warm water with a small amount of dish detergent and let it air dry completely. Don’t rinse or towel it off. This initial wash reduces static cling on the chamber walls, which can trap medication particles and reduce your dose.
When you’re ready to use it:
- Remove the caps from both the inhaler mouthpiece and the AeroChamber.
- Shake the inhaler well for about five seconds.
- Insert the inhaler into the rubber-sealed end of the AeroChamber so it fits snugly.
- Breathe out gently away from the device, emptying your lungs comfortably (not forcefully).
- Place the AeroChamber mouthpiece between your teeth and seal your lips around it.
- Press the inhaler canister down once to release one puff into the chamber.
- Breathe in slowly and deeply through your mouth. Take about three to five seconds for a full breath.
- Hold your breath for up to 10 seconds, or as long as comfortable, then breathe out normally.
If you hear a whistling sound from the chamber, you’re breathing in too fast. The built-in flow indicator is designed to alert you. Slow down until the whistle stops. A slow, steady breath pulls the fine medication particles deep into your smaller airways, which is the whole point.
If You Need More Than One Puff
Only spray one puff into the chamber at a time. Spraying two puffs at once causes the droplets to collide and clump together into larger particles that can’t reach your lower airways. After completing the full sequence for one puff, shake the inhaler again and repeat all the steps from the beginning. If you’re using two different inhalers, use your rescue inhaler first and wait about a minute before using a steroid inhaler.
Using an AeroChamber With a Mask
Infants, toddlers, and young children use an AeroChamber fitted with a soft face mask instead of a mouthpiece. The mask covers both the nose and mouth, creating a seal against the face.
Hold the mask firmly against your child’s face so there are no gaps. A loose seal lets medication escape into the air instead of into the lungs. Once you press the canister, let your child breathe normally through the mask for about five to six breaths. You can count by watching the valve inside the chamber flutter with each inhale and exhale. For infants, the breathing pattern is naturally faster, so those breaths happen quickly. Keep the mask in place until the breaths are complete, even if your child fusses.
Check the expiration date printed on the chamber before each use. If the device has expired, replace it with a new one through your pharmacy.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Static electricity on the inside walls of the chamber attracts medication particles the way a balloon sticks to a sweater. Over time, a dirty or staticky chamber delivers inconsistent doses. Proper cleaning prevents this.
Wash your AeroChamber at least once a month. Disassemble the mouthpiece or mask from the chamber body, then soak all parts in warm water with a few drops of liquid dish detergent. Swirl gently, then remove the parts and let them air dry on a clean towel. Do not rinse the soap off, and do not wipe the inside with a cloth or paper towel. The thin soap residue left behind acts as an anti-static coating, keeping the chamber walls from grabbing your next dose. Towel drying reintroduces static.
Between monthly washes, a quick visual check is enough. Look through the chamber for cracks, discoloration, or warping. If the valve inside appears stuck or the chamber is visibly damaged, replace it. Most manufacturers recommend replacing the device after about a year of regular use, but always go by the expiration date printed on your specific unit.
Common Mistakes That Waste Medication
The most frequent error is waiting too long between pressing the canister and breathing in. Once the spray enters the chamber, the fine particles stay suspended for only a few seconds before settling on the walls. Breathe in immediately after pressing down.
Breathing too fast is the second most common problem. A quick, sharp inhale pulls the larger droplets into your mouth and throat instead of letting the fine particles drift into your lower lungs. If you hear the whistle, slow your breath until it’s silent.
Other mistakes that reduce your dose include not shaking the inhaler before each puff, spraying multiple puffs into the chamber at once, using a cracked or expired chamber, and skipping the initial wash before first use. Each of these individually can cut the amount of medication reaching your airways, and combined they can make an inhaler far less effective than it should be.
Traveling With Your AeroChamber
The chamber is lightweight and fits easily in a bag, but keep the caps on both ends to prevent dust and debris from settling inside. If you’re flying, carry it in your hand luggage along with your inhaler so it’s accessible if you need it. Airport security treats spacers and inhalers as medical devices, so they pass through screening without issue. If you’ve been in a dusty or humid environment, give the chamber an extra wash when you get home.