Hpfy Nebulizer

Advanced Search

Nebulizer V.S. Inhaler

Hpfy Article Image

This is the age-old question...which is more effective...a nebulizer treatment or an inhaler (aka: MDI, metered-dose inhaler).  The answer is not that cut and dry as there are pros and cons to each way to administer inhaled medications.

What is an Inhaler?

It is a small, portable way to have your medication handy.  It requires no electricity, it is discrete, and highly effective if taken correctly. It is a hand-held, small plastic holder that a cannister of medication fits into. The medication is dispensed by pressing down on the medication canister while simultaneously inhaling to get the medication into the lungs. Each “puff” is pre-measured so that you get the amount you need by normally taking two puffs per use. It is a way for people who are active to be able to remain active and still have access to their inhaled medications anywhere they may be. Most MDI’s have a counter on them letting the user know how much medication is left in the cannister.

Try our newly added iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test Kit

iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test Kit

iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test Kit

iHealth COVID19 Antigen Self-Test Kit Features

  • FDA authorized At-Home Rapid Covid Test Kit
  • At-Home Covid Test Kit for ages 2 and above
  • COVID-19 Test Kit that detects current and new variants
  • iHealth Test App enables easy management of group testing

Advantages of Inhalers

  • Portable
  • Effective if used correctly
  • Affords much more independence to the patient
  • Discrete
  • Excellent for emergency use

Disadvantages of Inhalers

  • Expensive (some insurances do not cover)
  • Often taken incorrectly (most of the medication ends up in the mouth or back of the throat due to poor technique)
  • Requires good hand coordination (difficult for arthritic patients to activate the medication)
  • Can get lost easily due to its small size

Nebulizer Treatment Pros

  • Better particle deposition of the medication which equates to a better outcome(s)
  • For some patients, it is more a more effective treatment
  • If using a mouthpiece, most of the medication ends up in the lungs where it belongs
  • Medication covered by Medicare in the US if used through a medical device (i.e.: table-top nebulizer compressor)
  • Less expensive than MDI
  • Still the “gold-standard” of care for breathing issues

Nebulizer Treatment Cons

  • Not portable needs electricity to use (unless using a battery-operated nebulizer)
  • Noisy when using
  • Treatment can take anywhere from 5-10 minutes to complete
  • Cross-contamination can occur from not cleaning equipment properly
  • Involves lots of disposable items that need constant replacement

 

 

Disclaimer: All content found on our website, including images, videos, infographics and text were created solely for informational purposes. Our content should never be used for the purpose of diagnosis or treatment of any medical conditions. Content shared on our websites is not meant to be used as a substitute for advice from a certified medical professional. Reliance on the information provided on our website as a basis for patient treatment is solely at your own risk. We urge all our customers to always consult a physician or a certified medical professional before trying or using a new medical product.