Expert: Marc Rubin, RPh Asthma Educator - 12/25/2009

Question
Sir My son who is 1 year 10 months old and living in pakistan and he have asthama from the time when he was 6 months old because i am also having same problem. so i want to know what kind of nebulizer machine we can use for him because i was reading somewhere that there is many types of nebulizers are there. which one is good for him and another question we can use any INHALER for him like Ventolin INHALER.or if there is any other medicine or syrup which we can provide him please let me know. He is under treatment of 1 doctor who is injecting him every month 1 injection. waiting for your reply Regards  

Answer
Hello Asim,

You need a compressor powered type of nebulizer. The actual nebulizer is the cup into which the medication is added. The compressor forces air through the cup which results in a fine mist, which is then inhaled. This type of nebulizer can not only be used for Ventolin (in the pre-mixed ampules, where you just pour it directly into the cup) but also for Pulmicort Nebules, the inhalation steroid used to reduce the lung inflammation.

There are some of these nebulizers that come in a battery-powered unit for traveling.

Here are a couple of quality brands for you to look at. Both sites display electric compressors models as well as battery-powered portables.

Pari Products

http://www.pari.com/pdd/pdd-compressors.htm

Respironics Products

http://nebulizerfamily.respironics.com/

It is important to keep in mind that the nebulizer unit (the medication holding cup assembly), needs to be replaced every 6 months, due to deterioration. In addition, there are sterilization procedures to be followed. Cost-wise, the cups come both in reusable (good for 6 months), which in the US retail ~ $20.00, and disposable (good for 2 weeks) which run ~ $4.00. It is a good idea to keep a disposable cup on hand. As the reusable cup ages, you may find your child not responding well to a treatment. This may not be that the asthma attack  is more severe, but that the cup is no longer any good. You would verify this by repeating the nebulization with the disposable unit. If your son the quickly responds, you know it is time for a new long-term reusable assembly. If you son does not improve, then seek immediate help, in that his asthma is indeed worsening.


As an alternative for portability, you can use a metered dose inhaler, like the Ventolin-HFA, but that would be with a spacer chamber with infant mask. Here is an example for that:

Pari:  http://www.pari.com/pdd/pdd-holding-chambers.htm


Asim, do you know the medication the doctor is injecting him with?

The present standard of care for persistent asthma is the use of inhalation steroids on a daily basis, with a Ventolin (albuterol)type product for relief from attacks.

Ventolin does come in an oral liquid form, and this may be of value for your son. It would be considered additional treatment to the Pulmicort. It does not work fast enough to be considered a rescue medication.

I hope this is of benefit for you and your son. If you have further questions, please feel comfortable in getting back to me.

Sincerely,

Marc