Bronchodilators for Relief of Asthma Symptoms
Bronchodilators for Relief of Asthma Symptoms
A bronchodilator is used by almost all people with asthma as a way to open the airway passages.
Short-acting bronchodilators are used as a "quick relief" or "rescue" medication, while long-acting bronchodilators can be used every day to control asthma -- in conjunction with an inhaled steroid.
Is Asthma Changing Your Appetite or Weight?
When it comes to asthma and appetite, doctors and dietitians worry most about patients who eat too much, shun exercise for fear of becoming breathless, and end up being overweight.But in a small minority of patients, poorly controlled asthma can leave them too breathless and fatigued to eat properly. Furthermore, a few asthma medications can cause upset stomachs or thrush infections in the mouth, leading to poor appetite.
Read the Is Asthma Changing Your Appetite or Weight? article > >
For treating asthma symptoms, there are three types of bronchodilators: beta-agonists, anticholinergics, and theophylline. These bronchodilators are available in inhaled, tablet, liquid, and injectable forms, but the preferred method of taking the beta-agonists and anticholinergics is by inhalation.
Short-acting bronchodilators are called "quick-acting," "reliever," or "rescue" medications. These bronchodilators relieve acute asthma symptoms or attacks very quickly by opening the airways. The rescue medications are best for treating sudden asthma symptoms. The action of inhaled bronchodilators starts within minutes after inhalation and lasts for two to four hours. Short-acting bronchodilators are also used before exercise to prevent exercise-induced asthma.
For more information, see WebMD's article on Asthma Inhalers.
Short-acting bronchodilators can be used in an asthma nebulizer in the form of a liquid to treat an asthma attack at home.
For in-depth information, see WebMD's article on Asthma Nebulizers (Breathing Machines).
Overuse of short-acting bronchodilators, whether in asthma inhalers, in tablets, or in liquid, is a sign of uncontrolled asthma that needs better treatment. If you need to use your short-acting bronchodilators more than twice a week, talk with your doctor about improving your asthma control therapy.
The long-acting bronchodilators are used to provide control -- not quick relief -- of asthma. They should only be used in conjunction with inhaled steroids for long-term control of asthma symptoms. The long-acting bronchodilators are used twice a day.
Long-acting beta-agonist bronchodilators increase the risk of death from asthma and should only be used as additional treatment for people who are also using an inhaled steroid. For details, talk to your doctor and see their black-box warning.
Short-acting bronchodilators are used as a "quick relief" or "rescue" medication, while long-acting bronchodilators can be used every day to control asthma -- in conjunction with an inhaled steroid.
Recommended Related to Asthma
Is Asthma Changing Your Appetite or Weight?
When it comes to asthma and appetite, doctors and dietitians worry most about patients who eat too much, shun exercise for fear of becoming breathless, and end up being overweight.But in a small minority of patients, poorly controlled asthma can leave them too breathless and fatigued to eat properly. Furthermore, a few asthma medications can cause upset stomachs or thrush infections in the mouth, leading to poor appetite.
Read the Is Asthma Changing Your Appetite or Weight? article > >
What Are the Types of Bronchodilators for Asthma?
For treating asthma symptoms, there are three types of bronchodilators: beta-agonists, anticholinergics, and theophylline. These bronchodilators are available in inhaled, tablet, liquid, and injectable forms, but the preferred method of taking the beta-agonists and anticholinergics is by inhalation.
What Are Short-Acting Bronchodilators?
Short-acting bronchodilators are called "quick-acting," "reliever," or "rescue" medications. These bronchodilators relieve acute asthma symptoms or attacks very quickly by opening the airways. The rescue medications are best for treating sudden asthma symptoms. The action of inhaled bronchodilators starts within minutes after inhalation and lasts for two to four hours. Short-acting bronchodilators are also used before exercise to prevent exercise-induced asthma.
For more information, see WebMD's article on Asthma Inhalers.
Short-acting bronchodilators can be used in an asthma nebulizer in the form of a liquid to treat an asthma attack at home.
For in-depth information, see WebMD's article on Asthma Nebulizers (Breathing Machines).
Overuse of short-acting bronchodilators, whether in asthma inhalers, in tablets, or in liquid, is a sign of uncontrolled asthma that needs better treatment. If you need to use your short-acting bronchodilators more than twice a week, talk with your doctor about improving your asthma control therapy.
Short-Acting Bronchodilator Inhalers Available in the United States Include:
- Albuterol (AccuNeb, ProairHFA, Proventil HFA, Ventolin HFA, also available as a generic solution for nebulizers)
- Metaproterenol, available as a generic solution for nebulizers
- Levalbuterol (Xopenex HFA)
- Pirbuterol (Maxair)
What Are Long-Acting Bronchodilators for Asthma?
The long-acting bronchodilators are used to provide control -- not quick relief -- of asthma. They should only be used in conjunction with inhaled steroids for long-term control of asthma symptoms. The long-acting bronchodilators are used twice a day.
Long-Acting Bronchodilator Asthma Inhalers Available in the United States Include:
- Advair, Dulera, and Symbicort (a combination of a long-acting beta-agonist bronchodilator and an inhaled steroid)
- Serevent (salmeterol)
- Foradil (formoterol)
- Perforomist (formoterol solution for nebulizers)
Long-acting beta-agonist bronchodilators increase the risk of death from asthma and should only be used as additional treatment for people who are also using an inhaled steroid. For details, talk to your doctor and see their black-box warning.
Source...