Budesonide Nebulizer Guidelines for Asthma and COPD

Administration and Dosage

• A gas flow rate of 6-8 L/min is usually used to nebulize 50% of the particles to 2-5 μm diameter to aid deposition into the small airways, with a volume of fluid in the nebulizer chamber of 2.0-4.5 mL 1
• Patients should rinse their mouth after nebulization to prevent oral candidiasis 1
• The American Thoracic Society recommends that patients with acute severe asthma should be treated with nebulized β-agonists as first-line therapy, with consideration of adding ipratropium bromide (500 μg) 2, 3

Patient Education and Monitoring

• Patients should be instructed to sit upright during nebulization for optimal delivery 1
• Before prescribing home nebulizer treatment, patients should be taught how to use, clean, and assemble the device 1
• The mouth should be rinsed out after nebulizing steroids to prevent development of oral thrush 1