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Medications for Nebulizer Treatments

There are several different medications available to use for nebulizer (breathing machine) treatments. These medications can be directly delivered to the airway and are very helpful with lung diseases. When treating an acute episode (asthma attack) or symptoms of lung diseases, quick relief medications are used. To maintain control daily, long-term medications are used.

  1. Anticholinergics

    • Anticholinergics, such as Atrovent (ipratropium), are commonly used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Atrovent is used to open the airway by the reflexes being blocked through nerves that control the smooth muscle surrounding the airways. This is a quick-relief medication that is slower acting than short-acting beta agonist, and it takes 15 to 20 minutes for a significant effect. Atrovent comes in two inhaled forms: a metered dose inhaler and in the form used with a nebulizer.

    Short-Acting Beta Agonists

    • Short-acting beta agonists such as Maxair (pirbuterol) work quickly to treat acute symptoms of shortness of breath. Beta agonists such as Proventil HFA and Ventolin HFA are used to relax the muscles around the airways. This type of medication may also be prescribed by your doctor to use on an as-needed basis as pretreatment before exercise. If you take these medications more than twice weekly please consult your doctor about adjusting long-term medications.

    Long-Term Medication

    • Long-term medications are used to control and to prevent lung disease symptoms. These medications should be taken daily to prevent asthma attacks even when the asthma symptoms seem to be better. Long-term medications are a very important part of treatment programs for individuals with persistent asthma. Anti-IGE is a treatment that is used for allergic conditions and has been approved to treat symptoms of asthma.

    Long-Acting Beta-Agonists

    • Long-acting beta agonists do not decrease swelling in the lungs and are used with an inhaled steroid as a long-term control medication in people with severe to moderate asthma and chronic lung disease. Brovana (arformoterol) and Performist (formoterol) come in the form of a liquid to be utilized with a nebulizer (breathing machine). These are types of bronchodilator medicines that should be taken daily to prevent symptoms of coughing, chest tightness, wheezing and shortness of breath.

    Warning

    • Never use anyone's medication if you run out of your own medication. These medicines are prescribed to individuals on an as needed basis only. With any treatment program there are always complications and risks involved. Consult your doctor with any questions or concerns.

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