When using a spacer with a metered-dose inhaler, how long should you wait between puffs?

• A. 15 seconds
• B. 30 seconds
• C. 90 seconds
• D. 1 minute

Answer: (D)

Waiting about one minute between puffs lets the first dose be inhaled and absorbed before the next puff, maximizing how much medication reaches the lungs while reducing wasted drug in the mouth and throat. The spacer slows the aerosol and makes coordination easier, so you can take a full breath and hold it for better deposition. Too-short waits (like 15 or 30 seconds) may not allow the first puff to deposit well, while a much longer pause (such as 90 seconds) isn’t needed. So about one minute between puffs is the best interval.