A Nebulizer is a medical device that is used to deliver medications in aerosol or mist form, directly to the lungs. It is extensively used in case of patients with respiratory ailments like COPD, asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia and others. It is used more in the case of aged patients, who benefit from the drug delivery directly to the lungs.

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It can be used as a substitute for inhalers, medical devices that are more extensive in use. People who find difficulty to use inhalers go for nebulizers.Nebulizers are usually operated electrically and they come with facemasks, through which the patient breathes in the medication. Nebulizers are available in almost every pharmacy.

Is A Prescription Necessary?

Although prescriptions may not be necessary for the nebulizer machine, you may still need one for the medications that you plan to take through it.

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What Medicines Can Be Dispensed Through This?

• Bronchodilators help open up the respiratory pathways, providing relief to people with breathing trouble
• Saline solutions are dispensed after ensuring sterility, to open up the airways and free it of the deposited mucus that can clog the airways
• Antibiotics, when administered through this route are effective as they do not undergo metabolism, and are thus more effective

What Are Some Of The Differences Between Nebulizers And Inhalers?

• Nebulizers are not portable. The patient can find it difficult to carry it around while inhalers are much smaller in size and more portable
• Nebulizers are a bit easy to use due to the larger surface area. But sometimes, children and elderly patients may find difficulty in sitting still for some 15-20 minutes, which is the time needed in case of nebulizers. Inhalers, on the other hand, can be used on the go, and are generally more favourably viewed
• These devices need to be inhaled quite deeply. This may be a problem for people with weak lungs
• A nebulizer is usually a little more troublesome to clean and to maintain. It requires some attention to detail. While inhalers are usually not shared, people need to realise that nebulizers are not meant to be either
• While an inhaler comes as a single piece, a nebulizer requires its component parts to be replaced as and when necessary
• A nebulizer is also at a higher chance of being infected by bacteria or virus, and thus needs to be disinfected properly, as the consequences can be extremely dire

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Nebulizers are effective in case of regular requirement of dispensing of the medications and are useful and sometimes better alternative to inhalers.