What is a nebulizer?

A nebulizer turns liquid asthma medication into a fine mist. The medication is then inhaled through a mask or mouthpiece.

Nebulizers help deliver medications for certain respiratory conditions. A health care provider will prescribe a nebulizer if a medication needs to be given using this device.

A nebulizer is usually portable or may be a plug-in tabletop machine. There are different types of nebulizers, and it’s important for anyone with a nebulizer to consult the package instructions to ensure they're using it as directed by the manufacturer.

This article describes the main different types of nebulizers, as well as what they’re used for.

In this article:

Types of nebulizers

There are several different kinds of nebulizers, but they fall into three main categories:

• Jet nebulizers. Jet nebulizers use compressed air to turn a medication into mist.
• Mesh nebulizers. Mesh nebulizers pass the medication through a small mesh to create a fine mist.
• Ultrasonic nebulizers. Medication in ultrasonic nebulizers becomes a mist from vibrations created by the nebulizer. These machines are quieter, but they also cost more.

How nebulizers work

Nebulizers turn liquid medication into a fine mist so that people can inhale it through a mask or a mouthpiece. The medication goes into the lungs to help with certain lung conditions. The cost of a nebulizer is usually covered by insurance, but it’s best for people to check their individual health plan.

Uses of nebulizers

Nebulizers may be used by people with certain lung conditions that require inhaling medication directly into the airway. A health care provider may recommend their patients use a nebulizer for health conditions like:

• Asthma
• Bronchiectasis
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Cystic fibrosis
• Other chronic lung diseases

Some examples of medications that can be administered through a nebulizer include:

• Albuterol
• Budesonide
• Ipratropium
• Levalbuterol
• Sodium chloride

These medications come in different forms. If people are unsure about how to take their medication or have questions, a health care provider can help.

Care and maintenance of a nebulizer

Always refer to a nebulizer’s owner’s manual for cleaning instructions. In general, wash the medication cup and the mouthpiece after each use with warm running water, and let the parts air dry. A mild dish soap may be used once a day when cleaning the medication cup and mouthpiece.

Don’t wash the tubing or hose. Replace parts such as the mouthpiece, medication cup, mask and filter as directed by the owner’s manual. Regular maintenance can help keep the machine running correctly and help prevent bacterial growth.

Nebulizer versus inhaler

Inhalers are devices that a person can hold in their hand to inhale a medication. Inhalers allow you to administer a dose of a medication quickly, and the device itself is small. Inhalers have to be used correctly to get the full dose of medication. Albuterol is a common inhaled medication, but it’s only available with a prescription.

On the other hand, nebulizers deliver medication over a longer period of time (typically 5 to 10 minutes or more). Nebulizers can be larger than inhalers or lightweight and portable. They’re often recommended for people who have trouble using inhalers due to health issues. They can also be helpful for those who are not able to inhale deeply enough to use other devices effectively.

If people have symptoms like a persistent or recurrent cough, shortness of breath, wheezing or chest tightness, they should see a health care provider.

Key takeaways

Nebulizers are portable medical devices that deliver medication directly to the lungs by turning liquid medication into a fine mist that can be inhaled through a mask or mouthpiece. Nebulizers are commonly used to help treat respiratory conditions such as asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis and cystic fibrosis. Nebulizers come in three main types — jet, mesh and ultrasonic — and each type has distinct features. When used as directed and properly cleaned and maintained, nebulizers can be an effective and accessible option to help manage certain lung conditions.