The efficacy of drug delivery by a pear-shaped spacer and metered dose inhaler.

The efficacy of terbutaline delivered via a 750 ml spacer device (Nebuhaler) compared with a metered dose inhaler alone was studied by means of an open cross-over trial in eight patients with stable asthma. The FEV1 and FVC response curves with cumulative doses up to 8 mg were shifted significantly to the left using the device, whilst side effects were not significantly increased. These results indicate that the spacer significantly improves aerosol drug delivery from a pressurized inhaler, even in patients whose inhalation technique was considered adequate.