Apparently there are no clinical benefits of using a nebulizer as opposed to an inhaler and spacer. However, as an asthmatic I feel that I DO respond better to nebulizer treatments of Ventolin(salbutamol/albuterol) than MDI, because when I'm feeling pretty bad, I'm able to get the medicine in deeper and more easily. I also know many asthmatics who feel the same way.

Inhalers require technique to actuate and inhale the medicine properly if not used with a spacer, and are often used improperly. They also require a lot deeper breaths than do nebulizer treatments--which is harder to do when you're having problems breathing. Mostly, though, it depends on what you and your doctor decide works best for you, and what you'll be most compliant with. For me, I do nebs when I feel really crappy, and inhalers when I'm out and about and when I can get by without spending the time doing a treatment. The obvious benefit of inhalers (and spacers!) is they're faster and very portable. Nebulizers also offer higher doses of medications.

This response is assuming, though, that you mean doing inhalers vs. nebs for rescue meds. There are, of course, other nebulized medications which I don't have experience with and will leave the rest to the trained experts :-).

Stephen, I agree with the concept that nebulizer treatments are easier on the lungs, deliver the med deeper and for for a longer duration. In my opinion, the nebulizers are an in-home deliver system.

You statement you would use a nebulizer in an emergency situation is curious to me.
ALL my emergency situations take place outside my house and I need instant help. I carry a small pressurized inhaler of albuterol in my pocket at all times. Works just great. Just my personal experience.

Ha Ha!! Thanks Stephen for the clarification. We were stuck on "emergency". Yes, a trip to the ER will certainly involve a Neb. I use my "'emergency inhaler" when I can't quite breathe, like from too much auto/truck exhaust while walking in a downtown streets. But the neb is the best treatment, when available. We agree. Have a great day! Hot as blazes today

This may be a silly question, but would a neb treatment be more effective than a rescue inhaler for pretreatment before exercising?

I agree with Stephen on the above, also. Nebbing before and after hard activity is, for me, far more effective at warding off flares during and after exercise rather than just doing inhalers. (Of course, my inhaler is always with me when exercising).

This might be interesting too: http://respiratorytherapycave.blogspot.com/2010/03/most-aerosolized-medicine-is-wasted.html