Nebulizers use a compressor to aerosolize liquid medication, which is then delivered via a face mask or mouthpiece. Two main types of nebulizers are available for delivering aerosol medication to the lungs: jet nebulizers and ultrasonic nebulizers.17
Jet nebulizers
Jet nebulizers form droplets by using a compressor to deliver a pressurized jet stream of air down a narrow tube and through a narrow opening. The result is a drop in pressure that creates a vacuum effect (Venturi effect), forcing the liquid drug to come up from the reservoir. Small droplets of liquid created in this manner are propelled out of the device by the jet stream.17
Jet nebulizers are a commonly used device for nebulized inhaled medications, and they are the only effective device for the administration of PULMICORT RESPULES. Because of their physical characteristics, drug particles in suspension are generally poorly nebulized by ultrasonic nebulizers.17
Ultrasonic nebulizers
Ultrasonic nebulizers produce aerosolized droplets using high-frequency sound waves generated by a special crystal. During their operation, liquid drug is usually delivered to the crystal's surface. A thin layer of liquid forms between the surface of the crystal and a mesh layer. The crystals are then electrically excited, which causes them to vibrate at an extremely high frequency. The vibration forces the liquid through the mesh, turning it into a fine mist. Droplet size is determined by the frequency of the sound waves.17
NOTE: PULMICORT RESPULES is not indicated for use with ultrasonic nebulizers.
Helping caregivers
Parents or caregivers can learn about treating their child’s asthma with PULMICORT RESPULES at
a site specifically designed for patients and caregivers. The site features information “from mom to mom,” offering important
advice from other mothers treating pediatric asthma. The site contains information about PULMICORT RESPULES,
explains how the medicine works, shows how to administer it with a jet nebulizer, and explains how
PULMICORT RESPULES can help prevent asthma symptoms in children from 12 months to 8 years of age.
Making asthma treatment a natural part of a child’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.
- Suggest that parents do the treatment(s) at the same time each day, so that their child comes to expect it as a regular part of the daily routine
- Encourage parents to entertain their child with videos, music, toys, coloring books, or puzzles, or to read to the child during treatment
- Have parents put the mask on a favorite stuffed toy or doll first and show how much fun the toy is having or how brave it is — then have them transfer the mask to their child
IMPORTANT NOTES
- It is important to make sure that parents are aware that they need to use a jet nebulizer if you have prescribed PULMICORT RESPULES for their child
- PULMICORT RESPULES should not be mixed with other nebulized medications, as the safety and effectiveness of doing so has not been adequately assessed. PULMICORT RESPULES should be administered separately in the nebulizer23