Background
- Most people with COPD will not need a nebuliser if you have a good inhaler technique which is effectively getting medication in to the lungs. You may use a nebuliser if you are admitted to hospital during an exacerbation. Once you have recovered you may not need a nebuliser at home.
- Nebulisers are used to deliver medication, in higher doses than is possible by just using a hand held inhaler.
- The aim of using a nebuliser is to make sure that a drug is delivered in the correct dose to the lung in order to give improved treatment of symptoms.
- The nebuliser works by turning a liquid medication into a fine mist so that it can be inhaled deep into the lungs.
- The mist is made by a compressor pumping air or oxygen through the liquid in the medication chamber.
