Nebulisers are portable electric machines that create a mist of medication that can be inhaled into the lungs.

It is possible to nebulize all sorts of liquids, typically a medicine called salbuatmol (trade name Ventolin).

Some patients are also prescribed nebulised antibiotics.

Although the kit looks impressive, actually nebulisers are surprisingly inefficient at delivering medication to the lungs - a lot of the medication escapes into the atmosphere, rather than getting into the lungs.

Because of this, and particularly because modern hand held inhalers are much more efficient, we only prescribe nebulisers as a final resort. 

Before prescribing a nebuliser it is important to check that the patient treatment is fully optimised e.g. correct dose and type of inhalers, inhaler technique is checked and that other aspects of treatment have been considered e.g. pulmonary rehabilitation classes. 

Generally we don't supply nebulisers to patients who smoke. 

Of course, there are some highly selected patients in whom nebulisers can be of additional value.