How to Use Bronchodilator on Kids Safely

Why Kids Need a Spacer

Here is how to use bronchodilator on kids correctly, starting with the spacer. A spacer is a tube or chamber that connects the MDI to the child's mouth. It briefly holds the medication as a fine mist before the child inhales.

Per the American Academy of Pediatrics, using a spacer in children:

• Increases lung delivery 2-3× compared to direct MDI
• Reduces mouth/throat residue → fewer side effects (dry mouth, thrush)
• Removes the need to coordinate press-and-inhale — just normal breathing through the spacer
• Works from age 0 (face mask for infants)

📖 Read more: Complete bronchodilator-for-kids overview — what it does, when to use — Bronchodilator for Kids — Complete Guide

How to Use MDI + Spacer — Step by Step

Before the dose:

1. Wash hands
2. Check the expiry date on the canister
3. Remove cap, check the opening for debris
4. Shake the canister at least 5-6 times
5. Connect MDI to spacer (face mask for younger kids)

Dosing:

1. Have the child sit upright or stand
2. Seal mask snugly around nose and mouth, or have child close lips around the mouthpiece
3. Press MDI once (1 puff)
4. Child takes 5-6 slow breaths (~30 sec) through the spacer — watch the valve flap
5. Remove mask, wait 30-60 seconds
6. If the doctor prescribed 2 puffs, repeat steps 1-5

After the dose:

1. Rinse mouth with water (especially after Berodual)
2. Wipe the face mask with warm water weekly
3. Store the canister and spacer in a cool, dry, shaded place

Ventolin vs Berodual — Which to Choose

Both are short-acting bronchodilators that act within 5-15 minutes to relieve a sudden flare-up - they are not long-term controller medicines, so they should not replace a prescribed daily steroid inhaler.

Intimo Life offers two bronchodilator inhalers used in kids:

How paediatricians choose: Ventolin is first-line for general asthma — fast onset, fewer side effects. Berodual is reserved for cases where Ventolin is insufficient or when a child has chronic lung disease.

How Often Per Day — Dosing by Age

Ventolin dosing by age — always follow your paediatrician's prescription first.

If your child needs the reliever more than twice a week (not counting before-exercise doses), GINA guidance considers asthma control inadequate - see a doctor about adding a long-term controller medicine.

Key rules:

• Only when symptomatic — never schedule doses without medical instruction
• If using more than 4 doses/day = uncontrolled disease → see paediatrician
• If more than 4 puffs in one hour → go to ER immediately
• Berodual: max 8 puffs/day, only by paediatrician order

🛡️ Read more: Is it safe? Side effects + co-medications — Bronchodilator for Kids — Safety & Side Effects

Common Mistakes Parents Make

• ❌ Not using a spacer — only 10-20% of dose reaches the lungs
• ❌ Pressing without shaking — uneven dose per puff
• ❌ Two puffs in immediate succession — must wait 30-60 sec between puffs
• ❌ Holding breath after the puff — wrong; child should take 5-6 normal breaths through the spacer
• ❌ Scheduled Ventolin without symptoms — increases overuse risk
• ❌ Storing in the car — heat degrades the canister
• ❌ Forgetting to rinse — raises the risk of oral thrush
• ❌ Sharing a spacer between siblings without washing it — risks cross-infection; use a separate spacer per child or wash and dry it between uses
• ❌ Not logging each dose — makes it hard to tell if use is exceeding the doctor’s prescribed limit; write down the time and number of puffs each time

Caring for and Cleaning the Spacer

• Wash the spacer with warm water + dish soap once a week
• Air-dry — do not wipe, as friction creates static that traps medication
• Check valves and face mask for cracks or wear
• Replace the spacer every 6-12 months or when damaged
• Store in a sealed bag to keep dust out
• Skip alcohol or harsh disinfectants on the spacer — they can damage the plastic and increase static; warm water with a mild dish soap is enough

Signs You Need Emergency Care

After a bronchodilator dose, watch for:

• No improvement or worsening after 15-20 minutes
• Very rapid breathing (children <5: >50 breaths/min; >5: >30 breaths/min)
• Bluish lips, pale
• Chest or neck retractions
• Unable to finish a sentence
• Drowsy or unresponsive

Any of these → go to the ER immediately.