Asthma article 4: Warning against buying a nebuliser
The MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency), which is responsible for the safety of medicines in the UK, has recently warned that parents should not buy their child a nebuliser to use at home. A child should only use a nebuliser if one has been prescribed by their asthma nurse or doctor.
Why you shouldn’t buy your child with asthma their own nebuliser
- Nebulisers are used to convert liquid medicine into a fine mist.
- This allows a high dose of medicine to be delivered quickly and easily into the lungs by breathing it through a face mask or mouthpiece.
- Nebulisers are mostly used in hospitals and at GP surgeries. However, some children with severe asthma may be prescribed a nebuliser to use at home.
- The MHRA has warned that parents should not buy nebulisers for use at home.
- Giving rescue medicine via a nebuliser that has not been prescribed can make it difficult to tell whether a child’s condition is getting worse.
- Because of this, parents may delay getting help for their child, risking them become seriously ill.
