10 Best Nebulizers in the Philippines 2022 | Buying Guide Reviewed by Pharmacist

Like inhalers, nebulizers are devices that deliver breathable medicine into your body. The main difference is the ease of use because, with inhalers, specific techniques need to be applied to be effective. 

Meanwhile, nebulizers require little patient involvement–just put the mask on your mouth and breathe normally. This makes nebulizers excellent for a plug-and-use solution. It also ensures that patients can get their full dose even without direct supervision, like with children and some seniors.

Here are some key points to consider:

1. Select a type that fits your preferences.
2. Consider portability according to your lifestyle.
3. Choose a nebulizer that targets your specific ailment.
4. Opt for high-capacity nebulizers for more efficient medication delivery.
5. Factor in the physical attributes of the patient to ensure proper treatment.

For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.

Advancements in technology have led to improvements in nebulizers as well. Nowadays, you can choose among several types. While each still provides adequate treatment, you may want to check the pros and cons of each to better tailor the product to your preferences.

Jet types are probably what first come to mind when picturing a nebulizer. They’re among the first to hit the mass market due to the reliability and affordability of their parts. The heart of their design is a compressor that uses pressurized air to move medication from the device to your respiratory tract.

These types are also known for their volume, with older models reaching as high as 85 decibels. Additionally, while effective, their drug delivery tends to be slower than other types, making recovery time last somewhat longer. If you want a cheap solution, though, these are your pick.

This relatively new innovation in nebulizer products provides one of the quietest and quickest treatments when used. These work by turning liquid medicine into a breathable mist. This then passes through a mesh cap to keep the medication in a consistent particle size.

Because of this, the medicine is much more easily inhaled and absorbed by your body. Another good thing about mesh types is that they often come in a portable form factor. Most don’t even exceed 200 grams, making these all the more appealing to use.

An ultrasonic nebulizer uses vibrations to form droplets from liquid medication. These are then swept by a built-in fan or the patient’s breath. Like jet nebulizers, these are favored for their ease of use as patients only have to breathe normally. In addition, it produces a thick mist which can reassure those who prefer having visual stimulus during treatment.

One thing to note about ultrasonic types is that they generate a large amount of heat. The machine’s temperature can rise as high as 15° C in just ten minutes, potentially degrading heat-sensitive medicine. As such, when using these types, see first how resistant your medication is against high temperatures.

Essentially, you can choose between two different form factors: tabletop and handheld. As the name suggests, a tabletop nebulizer is designed for indoor use. These are often placed atop a stable, sturdy surface--perfect for children or physically-challenged people who can't hold up a portable design. In addition, these are also cheaper and have a longer warranty.

However, for those who lead a busy lifestyle, handheld nebulizers may be the way to go. Powered by batteries and having a palm-sized design, these allow you to take your medication on the go. These also work great if you want to be ready for any respiratory attacks.

Respiratory conditions affect certain areas of the respiratory tract, often categorized as the upper tract, middle tract, and lower tract. As such, it’s important to consider where your nebulizer disperses the medicine to ensure effectiveness.

For instance, diseases like rhinitis and sinusitis typically affect the upper tract, hence requiring larger particles, as these get deposited in that area. For cases like these, you want to target a nebulizer that produces particles equal to or greater than 5 microns.

Conversely, particles below 5 microns are needed to reach the lower respiratory tract. These target other common diseases such as asthma and bronchitis. However, we recommend not going lower than 1 micron, as particles of this size tend to remain in the air rather than get absorbed.

When using nebulizers, some residual droplets of medicine may get stuck inside the machine, which leads to drug wastage. This is especially true for less efficient models like jet types. Fortunately, you can reduce the amount of residue by putting a higher volume of medication at once, and for that, you need a nebulizer with a large capacity.

However, it’s important to remember not to exceed your recommended dose to avoid any side effects. A starting volume of 4 mL administered within 10 minutes of treatment has been found to be a good rule of thumb. From there, you can repeat as necessary until you meet your dosage.

Nebulizers are meant for personal use; hence, it’s important to tailor the product according to the specific behavior of the patient. For instance, seniors who have shown signs of cognitive decline may find it hard to operate complex devices. As such, they are best paired with nebulizers that have simple on-and-off buttons.

Similarly, children who get easily bored may benefit from products with faster sessions. Whatever the case, a personalized nebulizer will ensure that the patient is getting the most out of their treatments.

To give you a rundown, here are our top 5 picks for the best nebulizers you can buy online:

1. Best overall: Omron Compact Nebulizer NE-C803
2. Best feature-filled option: FeelLife Air Plus III
   
3. Best nebulizer for children: Getwell Molly Cow Nebulizer
   
4. Best affordable option: Boxym N2 Portable Nebulizer
5. Best for low-medicine wastage: Omron CompAir Compressor

The products we introduce below were carefully curated by the mybest team, from the best-sellers of E-commerce sites like Lazada, and using the points mentioned in our detailed and thoroughly researched buying guide.

Disclaimer: These products are recommendations made by our team at mybest Philippines. Our expert, Robi Uy, is not affiliated with, nor is he endorsing any of the brands we mention below.

**Prices may vary depending on the website and their campaign period** 

Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.

Some medications can be mixed and taken together through the nebulizer. This saves the need to clean, reassemble, and refill the nebulizer with each drug. That said, it's still best to consult your doctor first if your medicines are compatible. Otherwise, it can lead to lower effectiveness, side effects, or worse, medicine poisoning.

Depending on the medication and your overall perception of nebulizers, some side effects may include rapid heartbeat, jitteriness, and anxiety. More serious complications may include headache, nausea, chest pains, and throat irritation. When experiencing these, it's best to consult your doctor to see if it's safe to continue with your current treatment.

While you probably won't need to replace the machine itself--provided it's well maintained--note that nebulizers have parts that need regular replacements. Ideally, the air filters should be replaced monthly, while the mesh cap lasts from six months to one year.

Respiratory ailments are only one of the many risks people can face. As such, it's best to be on top of our body's overall health and well-being. This way, not only do we lessen the likelihood of catching diseases, but we are also better prepared if they do come. Check out these articles below to get yourself some protective equipment!

Author: Dane Lozano

Editor: R. Umlas

Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.