Frequently Asked Questions
When prescribing nebulized medicines, health care professionals and their staffs may have questions.
Many frequently asked questions about nebulizer therapy, pharmacy manufacturing, and about helping patients and caregivers with nebulizer use are answered below; more information can be found by following the links.
FAQ—About nebulizer therapy
Frequently asked questions about nebulizer therapy are answered below.
1) How do nebulizers work?
Nebulizers deliver aerosolized liquid medicine by a facemask or mouthpiece. Successful nebulizer therapy does not depend on significant patient cooperation or coordination. This is useful in the treatment of pediatric asthma, and the NIH recognizes the nebulizer as an effective delivery device for young children.
2) What types of nebulizers are there?
There are two main types of nebulizers: jet and ultrasonic devices.
Jet nebulizers form droplets by using a compressor to deliver a pressurized jet stream of air down a narrow tube and through an opening. This creates a vacuum (through the Venturi effect), thus drawing liquid from a reservoir. The resultant small droplets of liquid are propelled out of the machine by the continued jet stream.
Ultrasonic nebulizers produce aerosolized droplets using high-frequency sound waves generated by a special crystal. Liquid drug is usually delivered to the crystal, where it forms a thin layer. Electricity excites the crystals, causing them to vibrate at extremely high frequency. This vibration forces the thin liquid layer through an adjacent mesh, creating a fine mist. Droplet size varies with the frequency of the sound waves created by the vibrating crystals.
3) Can PULMICORT RESPULES be used in any type of nebulizer?
No, PULMICORT RESPULES should only be delivered through jet nebulizers. Jet nebulizers are the only effective device for delivery of suspensions such as PULMICORT RESPULES. Because of their physical characteristics, suspended drug particles are generally poorly nebulized in ultrasonic devices.
4) Can multiple nebulized medicines be combined with PULMICORT RESPULES?
No, PULMICORT RESPULES, when mixed with other nebulized medications, has not been adequately assessed. PULMICORT RESPULES should be administered separately in the nebulizer.
FAQ—About helping patients and caregivers with nebulizer use
1) Where can I find information to help make nebulization easier for my patients and their parents?
Parents can learn about treating their child’s asthma with PULMICORT RESPULES here at www.pulmicortrespules.com, a site specifically designed for patients and caregivers. This site offers valuable information about PULMICORT RESPULES, and explains how the medicine works, how to administer it with a jet nebulizer, and how PULMICORT RESPULES will benefit children.
2) What specific tips can help parents make nebulization part of my patient’s daily routine?
Making asthma treatment a natural part of your patient’s daily routine is important and does not have to be challenging. The following are just a few tips to share with your patients caregivers.
- Do the treatment(s) at the same time each day, so that your patient comes to expect it as a regular part of the daily routine
- Entertain your child with videos, music tapes, toys, coloring books, puzzles, looking at books, or reading to your child during treatment
- Have parents put the mask on a favorite stuffed toy or doll first. Show how much fun the toy is having or how brave it is. Then have them transfer the mask to their child
Find more helpful suggestions, and other useful tools, like patient videos, asthma action plan, appointment reminders, and more at http://www.everydaykidz.com.