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Getting emergency treatment through a nebulizer

Getting emergency treatment through a nebulizer

If you're having an asthma attack, you might be given medicine through a nebulizer in an ambulance or in hospital.

A nebulizer is a machine that changes liquid medicine into a fine mist. This mist can then be breathed in through a facemask or mouthpiece.

When are nebulizers used?

Nebulizers are used to give high doses of medicine:

1.In an emergency when you’re having an asthma attack in an ambulance or in hospital

2.When you’re being given certain tests to diagnose or rule out asthma

3.If you have a diagnosis of severe asthma and your asthma specialist has prescribed you a nebulizer to use at home

On this page you can find out about getting emergency treatment through a nebulizer.

Who can be given medicine through a nebulizer?

Anyone can be given medicine through a nebulizer. For babies and small children, different size facemasks can be used. For older children and adults, either a facemask or a mouthpiece can be used.

What emergency medicines are given through a nebulizer to treat an asthma attack?

If paramedics treat an asthma attack at home or in an ambulance, or staff in A&E treat an asthma attack, they often give medicine through a nebulizer. The type of medicine will depend on your symptoms, but will probably be a high dose of reliever medicine to open up the airways, such as salbutamol, ipratropium bromide or magnesium sulphate.

Nebulizers can also sometimes be used to deliver higher doses of inhaled steroids or antibiotics into the lungs.

How long will I be given medicine through a nebulizer?

If you’re given a dose of medicine through a nebulizer, the treatment will usually last between five and ten minutes.

Asthma UK’s in-house GP suggests these top tips will help you get the most benefits from a medicine through a nebulizer:

If you’re using a mouthpiece, seal your lips around it and breathe through your mouth, not your nose.

If you’re using a facemask, place it over your mouth and nose.

Sit up as straight as you can.

As much as you can, try to take normal, calm breaths.

What are the possible side effects of having medicine through a nebulizer?

The higher doses of medication given through a nebulizer can cause some side effects, such as a faster heart beat or slightly shaking muscles. These usually pass within a few minutes or a few hours at most and are not dangerous.

Getting emergency treatment through a nebulizer

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