Advice after your nerve block for surgery
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What is Nebulised Cayston®?
Nebulisers turn medications into fine mists so they can be easily inhaled into the lungs.
Cayston® is an antibiotic which is used to treat respiratory infections, especially those caused by a bacterium called Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
This medication can control flare ups of your lung condition meaning you are less likely to need courses of other, oral antibiotics.
Nebulising the medication allows it to directly treat the infection and is much less likely to cause side effects.
How do I take this medication?
It is best to have this treatment after you have cleared your chest of sputum with your physiotherapy airway clearance exercises.
You should take your bronchodilator inhaler before nebulising Cayston®
Cayston® should be taken three times daily, ideally > 4 hours between doses
How do I store this medication?
Keep in fridge (2-8oC).
Unopened vials may be kept out of fridge below 25oC for up to 28 days.
After the medication has been mixed together use immediately or store in fridge (2–8oC) and use within 8 hours
Equipment you need is:
- Bronchodilator inhaler
- 1 vial of Cayston® powder
- 1 ampoule of sodium chloride 0.17%
- eFlow®rapid Compressor
- Altera® handset; included in the monthly Cayston® box
- Filter set and filter pad
Instructions
Please note: medication should be nebulised in a well-ventilated room with no other people or pets present.
- Wash your hands
- Take your inhaler
- Gather all the equipment and ensure the filter set is attached to the Altera® handset
- Check the expiry dates of the Cayston® to make sure they are in date
- Flip up the plastic cap on the Cayston® vial and remove the foil seal completely
- Remove the rubber bung from the Cayston® vial
- Twist the cap off the sodium chloride ampoule and squeeze into the Cayston® vial
- Pour the mixed medication into the Altera® handset
- Turn on the compressor and nebulise the medication as directed
- Once the nebuliser is finished, wash your hands and rinse your month, gargle and spit out the water
Cleaning and replacing the equipment
Once you have finished using the nebuliser, switch off and wipe it down with a damp cloth.
The nebuliser handset needs cleaning after every use and sterilising weekly. We recommend cleaning by rinsing it in soapy water and sterilising in boiling water for five minutes.
Please refer to the manufacturers guidance for further cleaning advice. The filter pad should be changed after each use.
Replacing the equipment
- New Altera® handset included in monthly Cayston® pack.
- Filter sets should be replaced yearly unless visibly soiled or damaged.
- Filter pads should be discarded after each use
Side Effects
Sometimes Cayston® can lead to unwanted side effects such as:
- Cough
- Blocked nose
- Wheezing
- Sore Throat
- Shortness of breath
- High temperature
Using a bronchodilator beforehand can help with some of these side effects.
If you experience any of these, please stop taking the medication and contact your healthcare professional.
Action if missed dose
If you miss a dose, you can still take all 3 daily doses as long as they are at least 4 hours apart. If you can’t leave a gap of 4 hours just skip the missed dose.
Cautions and contraindications
Please discuss with your healthcare professional if:
• You or your partner are pregnant, breastfeeding or plan on starting a family.
• You are going to start any new medication not prescribed by your healthcare professional.
How do I dispose of this medication?
Please dispose of unused medication via your local community pharmacy
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Physiotherapy service.
About this information
Service:
Physiotherapy
Reference:
BB/012
Approval date:
15 September 2026
Review date:
1 September 2029
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Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.