As airways become increasingly swollen, irritated, and congested with mucus, they narrow, making it more difficult for medication to reach the deepest regions of the airways. Nebulizers aerosolize liquid medication to be inhaled over a period of minutes as compared to quick blasts of medicine delivered by pressurized metered dose inhalers.

The word nebulizer refers to the specific receptacle where the liquid medication is placed. The nebulizer unit refers to the machine that operates the nebulizer. There are many different types of nebulizers and nebulizer units.

• Jet nebulizers are used with air compressor-driven machines called nebulizer compressors and are approved for use with all available nebulizer medications.
  
  
• Ultrasonic nebulizer units use sound waves to burst liquid molecules into the mist. Usually very quiet or silent, these models can be used with all nebulized medications except Pulmicort Respules™. Pulmicort Respules is a suspension (most nebulized medications are solutions) and cannot be used with units that generate heat as is the case with most ultrasonic units. One exception is the Omron MicroAir®.
  
  

• Read the package instructions that came with your nebulizer unit even if you received personalized home instruction prior to use. Order replacement supplies now so they will be on hand when needed.
  
  
• Clean your nebulizer according to package instructions after every use! Failure to do so will grow unwanted bacteria! Dispose of nebulizer tubing that becomes cloudy or retains moisture.
  
  
• Store your nebulizer and supplies in a clean, dry, and dust-free location when not in use.
  
  
• Replace disposable parts, tubing, and filters according to manufacturer’s instructions. Using a nebulizer cup longer than indicated will result in slower, less efficient delivery of medication. Suggestion: Note the start date on your AsthmaTracker™ or daily symptom diary where it will be easy to reference in the future.
  
  
• Always use a mask or mouthpiece when giving or taking a nebulizer treatment. Kid-friendly masks boast colorful fish and happy characters, making nebulizing more fun. Simply aiming the mist at a baby’s face does NOT ensure that any medication reaches tiny, swollen airways! If nebulizing infants and toddlers, purchase nebulizer supplies and units that can be used when the child is in a reclined position such as when sleeping.
  
  
• Portable, battery-operated nebulizer users: Keep nebulizer batteries charged or have replacement batteries handy for use on the go!
  
  
• Use only those unit dose vials or other liquid medications made specifically for nebulizers. Use nebulizer medications approved for such use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as manufactured by the pharmaceutical company or licensed agent only! These agents are sterile, contain no contaminants or unwanted particulate, and are mixed in exact proportions. Such controls are not in place for nebulized solutions or suspensions mixed in independent compounding pharmacies.
  
  

Visit Breatherville’s General Store to purchase these nebulizers or nebulizer supplies:

AeroEclipse™ Disposable Nebulizer
PariBaby™ Nebulizer
Pari LC Plus™ Nebulizer

Reprinted from Allergy & Asthma Health Consumer Guide 2002. Medical editors for this article: Martha Hogan, M.D., Neil MacIntyre, M.D., Michael Mellon, M.D.