Editing Asthma (section)

====Delivery methods====
Medications are typically provided as [[metered-dose inhaler]]s (MDIs) in combination with an [[inhaler spacer]] or as a [[dry powder inhaler]]. The spacer is a plastic cylinder that mixes the medication with air, making it easier to receive a full dose of the drug. A [[nebulizer]] may also be used. Nebulizers and spacers are equally effective in those with mild to moderate symptoms. However, insufficient evidence is available to determine whether a difference exists in those with severe disease.<ref name="NHLBI07p250">{{harvnb|NHLBI Guideline|2007|p=250}}</ref> For delivering short-acting beta-agonists in acute asthma in children, spacers may have advantages compared to nebulisers, but children with life-threatening asthma have not been studied.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Cates CJ, Welsh EJ, Rowe BH | title = Holding chambers (spacers) versus nebulisers for beta-agonist treatment of acute asthma | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | issue = 9 | pages = CD000052 | date = September 2013 | volume = 2013 | pmid = 24037768 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.CD000052.pub3 | pmc = 7032675 |collaboration = Cochrane Airways Group }}</ref> There is no strong evidence for the use of intravenous LABA for adults or children who have acute asthma.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Travers AH, Milan SJ, Jones AP, Camargo CA, Rowe BH | title = Addition of intravenous beta(2)-agonists to inhaled beta(2)-agonists for acute asthma | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | volume = 2012 | pages = CD010179 | date = December 2012 | issue = 12 | pmid = 23235685 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.CD010179 | pmc = 11289706 }}</ref> There is insufficient evidence to directly compare the effectiveness of a metered-dose inhaler attached to a homemade spacer compared to commercially available spacer for treating children with asthma.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Rodriguez C, Sossa M, Lozano JM | title = Commercial versus home-made spacers in delivering bronchodilator therapy for acute therapy in children | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | issue = 2 | pages = CD005536 | date = April 2008 | volume = 2017 | pmid = 18425921 | pmc = 6483735 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.CD005536.pub2 }}</ref>