Hi, I have COPD and have purchased a small nebuliser. What do I put in it ? do I need a prescription drug ?? Thanks in advance?

Hi, I am a Student Pharmacist and I may be able to offer some input:

First of all, I would check with your primary health care provider (like your doctor, physician s assistant, ect.) to see if you even need a nebulizer. Most of the time, a person with COPD will only require a nebulizer if they have trouble using their prescription inhalers. In cases where a patient has difficulty using an inhaler, their provider might prescribe the use of similar medications to be taken through a nebulizer. If you are having difficulties using any of your inhalers, then you should contact your doctor right away.

I would also check with your provider if you plan on using over-the-counter saline ampules in your nebulizer. These saline ampules are essentially salt dissolved in purified water, and may provider some relief for people living in dry environments. Saline ampules sold online may contain varying amounts of salt. If your provider determines that this type of therapy may benefit you, then the next step would be to pick a saline ampule with an appropriate amount of salt.

Usually, these ampules contain the same amount of salt that fluids in your body contain (isotonic saline) or they may contain more salt than what s stored in your bodies fluids (hyperonic saline).