How to Choose Nebuliser?

A nebuliser is a device for efficiently delivering drugs in the form of an aerosol to the respiratory tract. Inhalation with a nebulizer is a good way to relieve symptoms of acute respiratory and some chronic respiratory diseases. We will tell you what parameters to pay attention to when choosing a nebulizer. Read on.

Main types of nebulisers

There are three main types of nebulizers: compressor, ultrasonic, and mesh.

Compressor devices spray a medicinal solution under the influence of a powerful jet of air. These are universal devices with which you can use any medicines, including antibiotics and antiseptics.

Ultrasonic nebulizers, in contrast to compressor ones, do not allow the use of antibiotics, hormonal drugs, bronchodilators, sputum thinners. The fact is that ultrasound destroys the structure of these medicinal substances and makes them ineffective.

Mesh nebulizers are more expensive than the compressor and ultrasonic ones, but they differ in a number of advantages. They are compact, so you can take them with you to work or on trips, work silently, and are compatible with all types of drugs. This is possible because the medicinal solution turns into an aerosol under the action of a special vibrating membrane, which does not in any way affect the structure of the drugs.

The medicines container volume?

Containers for medicines can hold from 4 to 15 ml of medicine. All drugs have different dosages. It is quite difficult to predict in which situations a 5 ml container will be enough for you, and in which – 10 ml. Many manufacturers and users recommend giving preference to the container with the maximum volume. It should be borne in mind, however, that containers of 10-15 ml are more often found in compressors and ultrasonic nebulizers. The standard container for drugs in mesh nebulizers is designed for 7-8 ml, and manufacturers claim that this is often enough.

Average particle size

The smaller the particle size, the easier and more efficiently they penetrate into the deeper parts of the nasopharynx or respiratory tract. Particles 5–10 µm in size settle in the larynx and nasopharynx, 2–5 µm reach the lower respiratory tract. The smallest ones – 0.5–2 µm in diameter – even penetrate the lungs.

There are nebulizers with adjustable particle sizes – these are universal devices that are suitable for the treatment of diseases of different parts of the respiratory tract. Not a bad solution if the device is bought for family and frequent use.

Residual drug volume

Due to the design features, compressor and ultrasonic nebulizers cannot convert all the medicine that is intended for inhalation into an aerosol. The amount of drug that remains in the device is called the residual volume. The smaller the residual volume, the more economical the drug consumption.

In mesh nebulizers, unused medicine simply does not remain, so they can be called the most economical devices in this regard. This is especially important for those who have to regularly take inhalations and buy medications for them.

The inhalation activation system will also help save on medications. Such a system assumes that the release of the aerosol is dramatically increased upon inhalation. Due to this, the loss of the drug during inhalation becomes minimal.

You should pay attention to the noise level if you plan to inhale a small child. Loud compressor noise often scares children. Mesh nebulizers and ultrasonic ones work absolutely silently.

Any treatment, including the use of a nebulizer, must be prescribed by a doctor. Using a nebulizer on your own may be ineffective. After reading the main parameters that you should consider, the last thing is getting the nebuliser. For this, just visit the Lloyd’s Pharmacy website and choose your model.

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