•Small-volume jet nebulizers typically have a loading capacity lower than 10 mL.

•Compressors are used for home care; they generate a low and fixed flow at a low pressure.

—Compressors lose efficiency over time, so ask the patient if the treatment is taking longer than usual.

—Air filters used in the compressor need to be changed periodically.

•Central oxygen or air is typically used at institutions; the gas is delivered at high pressure, at an adjustable flow rate.

—Treatments are short and have more particles that are likely to be deposited in the lungs.

Using the Nebulizer

Tips for Patients Using Nebulizers

•Tapping the nebulizer cup increases drug delivery.

•Use of single-dose vials is recommended because the use of a multidose containers has been associated with infection.

•Drug output markedly decreases after sputtering begins.

—Instruct the patient to stop the treatment after sputtering begins.

•The solution or suspension left in the nebulizer after a treatment is complete is called residual volume.

—It varies from 0.5 to 2.2 mL, depending on the nebulizer model.

—Increasing the loading volume to 4 mL will improve drug output of those devices with high residual volume but will also increase treatment time.

—Decreasing loading volume could result in minimal drug output.

▪Consider decreasing treatment time as a strategy for decreasing the delivered dose.

—Instruct the patient to maintain the nebulizer in the upright position.

Interface and Inhalation Technique

•While there may be less pulmonary deposition of medications when using a face mask instead of a mouthpiece, this difference is unlikely to have a significant clinical effect.

•Use of a face mask generates facial and ocular exposure.

—Dermatitis has been reported with the administration of corticosteroids.

—Anisocoria has been reported with the administration of anticholinergics.

•Most specialists suggest that children use a mouthpiece as soon as he or she can create a good seal.

—Poor seal of the face mask markedly reduces lung delivery.

—Blow-by technique is very inefficient and should be avoided.

•Do not occlude the holes in the face mask, because doing so does not increase drug delivery and can result in rebreathing CO₂.

•Some masks and interfaces favor transnasal delivery. This could be an alternative for patients <18 months of age (obligate nose breathers).

•Since crying markedly reduces intrapulmonary deposition, patients might require desensitization to get them accustomed to using the mask.

•Instruct the patient to breathe slowly and deeply when possible.

•Instruct the patient to take his or her medication in the sitting position, when possible.

Cleaning

•Cleaning the nebulizer is important to prevent the device from malfunctioning.

•The tubing that connects the nebulizer and the compressor should not be submerged in water.

•Vinegar solutions are ineffective at killing Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

•After each use

—Perform proper handwashing.

—Disconnect the nebulizer from the tubing and disassemble the nebulizer.

—Clean the nebulizer, mouthpiece, and mask with water and dish detergent.

—Remove any visible secretions.

—Rinse the nebulizer, face mask, and mouthpiece with sterile water, which can be prepared by boiling tap water for 5 minutes.

—Place the nebulizer on an absorbent towel to air-dry before storing it.

Disinfection

•Disinfecting the nebulizer is important to avoid contamination of the device.

•Once a day, after cleaning is completed, perform disinfection with any of these methods.

—Cold methods

▪Soak the nebulizer and parts in either

~70% isopropyl for 5 minutes

~3% hydrogen peroxide for 30 minutes

▪Then, rinse it off with sterile water.

—Heat methods (if recommended by the manufacturer)

▪Soak the nebulizer and parts in boiling water for 5 minutes.

▪Microwave the device while submerged in water in a microwave-safe receptacle for 5 minutes.

▪Wash the device in a dishwasher for 30 minutes, if the water is at least 70°C (158°F).

▪Use an electric steam sterilizer.

—After the disinfection

▪Remove excess water.

▪Place the nebulizer on an absorbent towel to air-dry before storing it.

Other Types of Nebulizers

•Ultrasonic nebulizers

—Should not be used to deliver budesonide or other medications that may be degraded by the heat generated.

•Vibrating mesh nebulizers

—These are very efficient.

—They are faster than jet nebulizers.

—They generally have very low residual volume, which means a higher proportion of medication will be delivered to the patient. This is not so important with bronchodilators but may be important for delivering drugs with a narrow therapeutic index.

—Cleaning of the device (mesh) is crucial for optimal performance.

—The mesh is periodically replaced.

—These devices are very expensive.

—Many devices are prescribed as a drug-device combination of mesh nebulizers.

▪Aztreonam-Altera (PARI Pharma, Starnberg, Germany) for the treatment of P aeurugina infection in patients with cystic fibrosis

▪Iloprost–I-neb (Philips, Amsterdam, Netherlands) for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension

•How to Use a Nebulizer (Medline Plus). medlineplus.gov/ency/ patientinstructions/000006.htm