Overview

You might be prescribed a nebuliser to help you with the side effects of radiotherapy. This is because radiotherapy can make your saliva thick or sticky. Saliva then builds up in your mouth and throat, making you cough. A nebuliser can help by making your saliva thinner.

Using a nebuliser

A nebuliser is a machine that turns a liquid, such as saline, into a fine mist. The nebuliser has a face mask attached to it, which you use to breathe in the fine mist. Breathing in the mist will help loosen your saliva and make it easier to cough up.

We will prescribe you saline for use with the nebuliser. You may be told to use the nebuliser several times a day.

Collecting your nebuliser

If your doctor has prescribed you a nebuliser, they will order this for you, and you can collect it the next day.

You can collect your nebuliser from Guy’s Hospital lung function and chest clinic. This is on 2^nd floor of Bermondsey Wing. If you have any problems finding them, phone: 020 7188 5836. They are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

About the service

This is a free service. You will need to return the nebuliser to Guy’s Hospital chest clinic when your side effects are gone and you no longer need it.

You might use the nebuliser for several weeks after your radiotherapy treatment ends. In this case, you can return the nebuliser at your 6-week or 12-week follow-up appointment.