:: Section 5
Advantages and Disadvantages
Why are we using a nebulizer in therapy? There are several advantages, including
- Ability to aerosolize many drug solutions
- Ability to aerosolize drug mixture (> 1 drug) with suitable testing of drug activity
- Minimal coordination is required for inhalation
- Useful in very young or very old, debilitated patients or those in acute distress
- Effective with low inspiratory flows or volumes
- An inspiratory pause (breath-hold) is not required for efficacy
- Drug concentrations can be modified if desired
- Newer nebulizer devices are more efficient
Meanwhile, there are also limitations and disadvantages of a nebulizer that we should be aware of
- The equipment required for use is expensive and cumbersome
- Treatment times are somewhat lengthy for traditional nebulizers compared with other aerosol devices and other routes of administration
- Variability in performance characteristics among different brands
- Contamination is possible with inadequate cleaning
- A wet, cold spray occurs with mask delivery
- Need for an external power source, either electricity or compressed gas
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