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Is the PARI eRapid® Nebulizer System worth what it costs?

Posted by spectrumcyclist @spectrumcyclist, Jul 9, 2025

Does anyone have any long-term experience with the PARI eRapid® Nebulizer System?

After 15 years of lugging different large and small nebulizers around when traveling, I am ready to spend a lot of money on something small, easy to clean, and fast, so long as it is rugged and will last a few years. I have to nebulize four vials of stuff (including saline) twice daily. I'm not loving traveling anymore because of the chore of having to spread out all my stuff, sometimes with very little available surface area, wherever I am, not to mention having to wake up an hour before everyone else to nebulize.

Information from anyone who knows this product is appreciated.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the MAC & Bronchiectasis Support Group.

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evpaj | @evpaj | Nov 25, 2025

The only time I've seen that mentioned was in the post I was responding to... that's why I was looking for clarification. Thanks!

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dpaula | @dpaula | Dec 7, 2025

I just received an email from Amy Leitman (President of NTM Info & Research) seeking donations to help fund MORE STUDIES ON OUR EQUIPMENT CARE. This is exactly what I was hoping for in a previous post-- more work to nail down best practice. Yes we have best practice now but maybe there are ways to make it easier for those that are overwhelmed and or more scientific for those seeking more protection from infection or reinfection.

From: Amy Leitman
Heading: Finally, answers about cleaning your devices

Dear Paula,

Every day, patients with NTM lung disease and Bronchiectasis face an enormous challenge: thinking about their environmental exposures to NTM including how to clean the devices they use to clear their airways, knowing that NTM can lurk in the water used to clean them.

For years, patients have used sterilization methods that have not been scientifically tested.

Until now. And we're asking you to support this work.

We've launched a groundbreaking collaboration with two leading NTM microbiologists, Dr. Joe Falkinham and Dr. Jennifer Honda, to provide some answers.

We're systematically performing laboratory testing:

Sterilization methods for airway clearance devices
Bottled water brands for NTM contamination (and microplastics)
Safe water-boiling times at different elevations
Biofilm formation across pipe materials
Testing is already underway. The results will yield comprehensive, evidence-based guidance that transforms how patients safely manage their care, and a peer-reviewed publication that equips clinicians to properly advise them.

Will you help us complete this critical research?

THIS IS SUPER GOOD NEWS FOR US AND I PLAN TO DONATE!

Research and studies building on previous research is vital. Can't sit on our laurels as they say.

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cholash | @cholash | Dec 9, 2025
In reply to @scoop "To sterilize the eRapid or eFlow (same thing, different name; one is called one in the..." + (show)
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To sterilize the eRapid or eFlow (same thing, different name; one is called one in the U.S. and the other in Europe), I soak in hot tap water with a drop of Dawn. Then I sterilize in Boloco baby bottle sterilizer at home. On the road I use either a ramen pot for boiling or Grownsy baby bottle sterilizer. I used to sterilize everyday, now I go every couple to few days for sterilization but everyday I give it a Dawn soak. How often for cleaning/sterilization is personal preference taking into account your comfort level and disease state.

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@scoop Ramon pot? Do you have a link ?

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cholash | @cholash | Dec 9, 2025
In reply to @scoop "HI, I've written a lot about the Pari eRapid and have owned it for a couple..." + (show)
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HI, I've written a lot about the Pari eRapid and have owned it for a couple of years. Bottom line it's quick, quiet and reliable. It's been used for years in the CF world. Pricey but glad I $plurged and have zero regrets. PARI says that the handset needs to be replaced every 6 months but I go much longer than that. The biggest drawback is that it leaves behind about 1 mL of saline. Keep in mind if you take it traveling, it still needs to be cleaned (soaked in soapy water) and steamed or boiled for sterilization. Not microwave safe. I boil mine in a ramen pot and let it air dry when I travel by plane. Traveling by car, I take the Grownsy baby bottle steamer with me without the tank so it takes up let room.

Here's a link to some of the things I've written.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/survey-nebulizers-and-compressor-systems-speed-etc/
PS - I purchased it from Nebology during an extra discount time. They recently ran an extra discount over Independence Day weekend. Look for another during the next holiday period.

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@scoop can it be sterilized in vinegar? Looking into travel out of the country , with outlet issues & no access to boiling water . Hoping there’s a solution. Thanks in advance .

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cholash | @cholash | Dec 9, 2025
In reply to @scoop "@minute22 I cannot answer the question regarding Arikayce because I’ve never used it. Twice a day..." + (show)
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@minute22 I cannot answer the question regarding Arikayce because I’ve never used it. Twice a day I use the E flow with hypertonic saline prior to airway clearance. My current habit, which I often seem to be tweaking, is to soak in hot tapwater with some dawn after each use. At the end of the day, I sterilize it in the Bololo baby bottle sterilizer. This sterilizer along with others have been deemed effective by Dr. Jenn Honda. She presented not too long ago on use of baby bottle sterilizers for our equipment. I think her presentation can be found in the ABCs of bronchiectasis in this forum. Pari recommends the handset be replaced every six months.

PS-here’s the presentation by Dr. Jenn Honda. Well worth watching.
https://m.youtube.com/watch

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@scoop do you use tap water with the Bololo? If distilled, how much water does it take for a cleaning ?
Thanks !

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cholash | @cholash | Dec 9, 2025
In reply to @sueinmn "@clynnp & sarahlynn60 . I can only tell you what works for me. Dr Jennifer Honda's..." + (show)
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@clynnp & sarahlynn60 .
I can only tell you what works for me.
Dr Jennifer Honda's lab tested antibacterial Dawn, so I started using it. The Blue Dawn recommendation was made before the new one was available.
As for rinsing, I use .2mucron filtered water. In a hotel I use bottled spring water.
The Pari eRapid instructions say to not use steam bags, so I boil in a saucepan on the stove using distilled water.

Other members may use other methods, but I have been MAC-free for almost 6 years doing things this was, with the blessing of my pulmonologist.

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@sueinmn how do you sterilize if in a hotel , with no access to boiling water ?

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spectrumcyclist | @spectrumcyclist | Dec 9, 2025

I use Control III (a CPAP cleaner) recommended by Pari for the eRapid. I boil about once a week. I mistakenly poured into a glass once, and it got into my mouth. From its taste I think it could be classified as a WMD!

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scoop | @scoop | Dec 9, 2025
In reply to @cholash "@scoop do you use tap water with the Bololo? If distilled, how much water does it..." + (show)
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@scoop do you use tap water with the Bololo? If distilled, how much water does it take for a cleaning ?
Thanks !

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@cholash I use distilled water in the Bololo, which I use right out of the jug. I keep meaning to use the Steripen to sterilize the distilled water first but I've tucked the Steripen away somewhere and need to find it. The Bololo requires a small amount of water on the heat plate reservoir, which I fill to the max line.

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scoop | @scoop | Dec 9, 2025
In reply to @cholash "@scoop can it be sterilized in vinegar? Looking into travel out of the country , with..." + (show)
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@scoop can it be sterilized in vinegar? Looking into travel out of the country , with outlet issues & no access to boiling water . Hoping there’s a solution. Thanks in advance .

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@cholash The PARI eRapid is a delicate mesh machine that requires distilled water for sterilizing. After nebulizing but before sterilizing I soak in warm/hot tap water with Dawn antibacterial dishwashing soap for some minutes, then rinse in running tap water, let dry on a towel. After its second use of the day I pop in BBS.

PARI also makes a portable battery-powered nebulizer (also plugs for US and international use). You could purchase many handsets (or disposable ones) and not worry about cleaning and sterilizing until you get home. The downside is that it's time consuming like your current compressor, and maybe not as powerful, but it will get the job done.
https://nebology.com/products/pari-trek-s-portable-nebulizer-system-with-lc-sprint
May I suggest you check out NTMinfo.org for ideas on traveling out of the country? I recall someone there went on safari and had similar issues as you with water, outlets. Be prepared as it might take time to search through the various conversations on the matter.

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scoop | @scoop | Dec 9, 2025
In reply to @spectrumcyclist "I use Control III (a CPAP cleaner) recommended by Pari for the eRapid. I boil about..." + (show)
Profile picture for spectrumcyclist @spectrumcyclist

I use Control III (a CPAP cleaner) recommended by Pari for the eRapid. I boil about once a week. I mistakenly poured into a glass once, and it got into my mouth. From its taste I think it could be classified as a WMD!

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@spectrumcyclist Where did you purchase it? A link is appreciated.

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