Nebulizers vs. Inhalers: How Do They Differ?

People sometimes need to take inhaled medications. This is especially true of people with asthma or certain other lung conditions. In order to administer these medications, there are two main options: nebulizers and inhalers. Understanding how these two devices differ and the pros and cons of each can make it easier to decide which might be right for you.

Versatility

Many hospitals use nebulizers as their main way of delivering these types of inhaled medications. This is because the machines are very versatile. They can be used to deliver a wide range of medications to patients of all ages based on the mask or attachment used with the machine. Nebulizer-based machines also have other purposes, such as the Air Diffusers by AromaTech, which help diffuse essential oils. On the other hand, inhalers aren’t suitable for everyone, as people need to be able to breathe in strongly to get the medication to the lungs where it’s needed. Otherwise, if they breathe at the wrong time or don’t breathe strongly enough, the medication ends up in the mouth. This makes them not suitable for very young children or people with acute bronchospasms.

Ease of Use

You would think inhalers would be easy to use, but many people actually use them incorrectly and even medical professionals sometimes aren’t able to explain well how to use these devices most effectively. Patients have to aim the inhaler properly and breathe in strongly at just the right time for the medication to be delivered at the proper dose, which doesn’t always happen. Choosing an inhaler that has a spacer chamber tends to improve the ease of use, as this chamber holds the dosage of medicine in place until the person is ready to take the necessary deep breath. Using a nebulizer with a face mask ensures that more medication is delivered to the patient.

However, these machines require electricity and need to be plugged in, so they aren’t as convenient as inhalers. They also take about 10 minutes to deliver the medication, compared to about 2 minutes for an inhaler. Patients need to measure the medication before each use and clean the nebulizer after each use. Inhalers are also much more portable, so they’re more likely to be handy when an emergency dose of medication is needed. Inhalers deliver the exact dose recommended, but you need to keep track of how many doses you’ve used if the inhaler doesn’t track this, otherwise your inhaler may deliver gas with no medication once it runs out.

Cost

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Potential for Side Effects

One study found that people were more likely to experience side effects from using a nebulizer to get their medication, including anxiety, dizziness, irritation of the skin or eyes, recurring infections, optic nerve damage, and tremors from using a metered-dose inhaler. Most people would prefer to limit their risk of side effects from medications, so the study authors are recommending increased use of inhalers over nebulizers in hospital emergency rooms. If a person uses their inhaler without breathing deeply enough or aiming it properly, they can wind up with some of the medicine in their mouth, so they will want to rinse out their mouth to get rid of the taste. Of course, there are also potential side effects from whichever medication you are taking with the nebulizer or inhaler.

Regularly Scheduled Treatments or Emergency Use

People who need to have regularly scheduled treatments, such as twice a day, a nebulizer can work well. It can be used while they’re doing other activities, so the added time necessary for the treatment won’t matter very much. However, for those who need their medication on an as-needed, emergency basis, an inhaler tends to be preferable because they can carry it with them and have the device handy to use when the need arises. Even portable nebulizers are pretty bulky and not something a child would carry around regularly, so these machines don’t work as well for emergency use, such as with a sudden asthma attack.

Effectiveness

Although the nebulizer delivered a higher dose of medication, it didn’t seem to provide any additional benefits, and patients were less likely to need to be readmitted to the hospital following treatment with an inhaler than when using a nebulizer. The key to the effectiveness of either of these medication delivery systems is the proper use. The nebulizer is much easier to use properly, especially with small children. Inhalers become easier to use when they are attached to a spacer and more effective as a result, even for adults. The youngest children should use a mask connected to the spacer to further increase effectiveness. Dry powder inhalers are harder for small children and elderly people to use, as there is no propellant and all of the medication needs to be inhaled with a strong inhalation.

In the end, it’s important to consider all these factors as, in some cases, it will be clear that one of these medication delivery methods is superior in your situation than the other. Both have their uses and can be effective in treating conditions causing breathing difficulties. Your doctor can also help you determine which delivery method you should try. Keep in mind that companies are always working to improve both of these technologies and make them easier to use and more effective.