Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
You came to the ED, and the doctor gave you a medicine to take with a nebulizer. This is a machine that changes a liquid medicine into a fine mist. When you breathe the mist in, the medicine goes into your lungs. It is also sometimes called a "breathing treatment" or an "aerosol."
The doctor ordered the nebulizer machine and the medicine. You might work with a medical equipment company to get the nebulizer machine and supplies.
A nebulizer has a few parts:
●The machine or air compressor
●A small cup to hold the medicine
●A thin hose or tubing that lets the air move from the machine to the cup
●A mouthpiece or mask to breathe in the medicine
Follow the doctor's instructions, and add the medicine to the small cup each time. Most often, the medicine comes in a small tube with the correct dose.
How do I care for myself at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also do the following:
●Call your regular doctor and tell them you were in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.
●Take all your medicines as instructed.
●Follow the directions that come with the nebulizer. In general, to use a nebulizer:
•Wash and dry your hands well.
•Plug the nebulizer cord into an electrical outlet. Put the machine on something solid like a table or desk. Have a place to sit or recline nearby.
•Put the correct amount of medicine in the small nebulizer cup. Close the lid tightly.
•Connect the nebulizer cup to the machine with the thin hose.
•Attach the mask or mouthpiece to the nebulizer cup:
-Mask – Put the mask over your nose and mouth.
-Mouthpiece – Seal your lips tightly around the mouthpiece during the breathing treatment.
•Turn the nebulizer on. You should see mist coming from the mask or mouthpiece.
•Sit up straight, or lie back with your head raised. Take slow, deep breaths in and out through your mouth, even if using a mask. This helps get the medicine into your lungs.
•Continue breathing like this until all the mist is gone. Tap the cup of the nebulizer every few minutes to move any droplets on the side to the bottom of the small cup. Most of the time, it takes about 10 minutes to breathe in all the medicine.
•Turn the nebulizer off.
●Follow the directions that came with the nebulizer for how to clean and store it. You might also have to replace a small filter.
When should I get emergency help?
●Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if:
•You are having so much trouble breathing you can only say 1 or 2 words at a time.
•You need to sit upright to breathe, or cannot lie down.
•You are very tired from working to catch your breath, or you are sweating from trying to breathe.
●Return to the ED if:
•Your asthma flare-up is not getting better even after using your inhaler a few times.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if:
●You have to use your quick-relief inhaler 2 to 3 times a week to treat symptoms (not to prevent symptoms when you exercise).
●You cannot do your normal activities because of trouble breathing.
●Your cough gets worse, or you cough up yellow or green mucus.
●You are running out of your asthma medicines.
●You have new or worsening symptoms.
Patient education: How to use a nebulizer (The Basics)
Patient education: Medicines for asthma (The Basics)
Patient education: Medicines for COPD (The Basics)
Patient education: Asthma treatment in adolescents and adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Asthma treatment in children (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatments (Beyond the Basics)
