Rotation 1 Session 1

Aerosol Delivery Devices

 Inhalation Route

•Fast and effective way of delivering

medication locally to the lungs and also
for the systemic administration of
certain agents
•Used extensively to treat respiratory
conditions
3 major benefits of delivering medication via
the inhaled route
•Rapid onset of action
•High local concentration by delivery
directly to the airways
•Needle-free systemic delivery of drugs
with poor oral bioavailability
 A. Nebulizers

•Utilized to transport medications to the

lungs by means of mist inhalation
•Used to deliver medications along the
respiratory tract
 Jet Nebulizers

•A medical device which converts liquid

medication into an aerosolized mist
which is easy to inhale
Jet Nebulizers
 Mesh Nebulizer

• Use a mesh or plate with multiple apertures

to produce an aerosol.
• It has a very low residual volume, fast
treatment time and the ability to nebulize a
variety of solutions and suspensions
• Powered by batteries or electricity
• External gas flow is not required
Mesh Nebulizer
 Ultrasonic Nebulizer
• Produces ultrasonic soundwaves that convert the
medicated liquid into vapors
• Quiet and not heavy
• The downside is they are not compatible with some
medicines for asthma and other respiratory diseases.
• There are medicines that become ineffective when
they are turned into mist using ultrasonic sound
waves
 Purpose of Administering Medications by
Nebulizers
• 1. To administer medication directly and quickly to the
lungs
• 2. To assist the removal of accumulation of lung
secretion
• 3. To prevent accumulation of secretions in client’s at
risk
• 4. To relieve dyspnea
 Contraindications
• Patients with unstable and increased blood
pressure
• Individuals with cardiac irritability
• Persons with increased pulses
• Unconscious patients
 Advantages of Nebulization
• It works for children who are unable to use any other inhalation
device
• Allows the drug to reach the lungs directly
• Process is not painful
• Very effective for asthma patients
• Used to overcome respiratory problems as well as in severe
respiratory distress
 Disadvantages of Nebulization
• May cause infection in the lungs
• Large amount of the drug is wasted through gas
• More expensive than ordinary inhaler
• Can cause shivering, headache, increase heart rate, dry mouth
 B. Metered Dose Inhalers

• Pressurized canister of medicine in a plastic

holder with a mouthpiece
• There are two methods for using an MDI:
MDI with a valved holding chamber
MDI without a chamber
 Inhaler devices
A. Pressurized Metered- Dose Inhalers
• Multi-dose,
pressured,
aluminum
canister that,
when
actuated,
delivers drug
through a
metering
valve and
orifice
Spacers and Holding Chambers
 B. Soft Mist Inhalers
• Newest
type of
inhaler
• Shaking
is not
necessa
ry prior
to using
the
device
 C. Dry Powder Inhalers
• May overcome
the difficulties
with
coordination of
inhaler actuation
and inspiration
• Errors still exist
such as
inadequate effort
END