Medications for Nebulizer treatment

Nebulizer treatments are given to treat respiratory conditions, such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and lung infections. A liquid medication is placed inside a nebulizer cup and attached to a nebulizer, or air compressor, which vaporizes the medication so it can be inhaled into the lungs. Nebulizer treatments are administered in the hospital and are also taken by patients at home.

Bronchodilators

Bronchodilators work on the smooth muscles in the airways, causing them to widen. They treat bronchoconstriction and make it easier for the patient to breathe. Bronchodilator drugs include albuterol, Alupent, Isuprel, Bronchosol and levalbuterol. Racemic epinephrine has both bronchodilation and vasoconstriction effects and is usually reserved for use with upper-respiratory infections, such as croup, that are accompanied by swelling of the airways.

Anti-cholinergics

Anti-cholinergic drugs work to dry out excess secretions in the lungs and airways. These drugs include Atropine and Atrovent. Nebulizer treatments with Atropine are sometimes given prior to surgery to help minimize the production of secretions during an operation. Expectorants

Expectorant drugs break apart or decrease the thickness of mucous so the patient can cough out secretions more easily. Expectorant drugs delivered by nebulizer

include Mucomyst and Pulmozyme. Pulmozyme is commonly used in the management of cystic fibrosis, with the goal of reducing the frequency of respiratory infections.

Corticosteroids Corticosteroids work by decreasing inflammation and thereby making it easier to breathe. They also reduce the risk of infection and acute episodes when taken regularly. These drugs, which are commonly taken by inhaler but can be taken in nebulized form, include Azmacort, Pulmicort and Decadron.

Prophylactic Anti-asthmatics These drugs are given prophylactically in order to prevent an acute asthma attack. They must be taken consistently to have an effect. Prophylactic anti-asthmatic drugs can be taken on a regular schedule and right before an asthma-triggering event, such as going outside into cold air or exercising. They are not given during an acute asthma attack because they do not provide any bronchodilator effects. These drugs include Intal and Tilade.

Anti-infectives These drugs are delivered directly into the lungs in order to fight infections. Gentamicin is an antibiotic delivered by aerosol to kill bacteria in the sputum. Pentamidine is an anti-protozoal used in the treatment of pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. Ribavirin is an antiviral agent used to treat the respiratory syncytial virus found in young children and infants.