Bronchodilators
Short-Acting Beta-Agonists
Bronchodilators (Short-Acting Beta-Agonists):
- Open airways by relaxing tight muscles around them
- Usually inhaled, although occasionally taken as tablets
- Available as metered-dose inhaler, dry powder inhaler, or as a liquid for nebulization
- Carry the inhaler with you wherever you go for quick relief from sudden shortness of breath
- An older medication is Alupent (metaproterenol); if you take this, you may want to discuss other options with your doctor
- If you are taking oral beta-agonists, discuss other options with your doctor. The oral medicine may have more side effects.
Examples
- Proventil HFA (Albuterol)
- Combivent (Albuterol and Ipratropium)
- Maxair Autohaler (Pirbuterol)
- Duoneb (Albuterol and Ipratropium)
- Xopenex (Levalbuterol HCL Inhalation Solution)
Possible Side Effects
- Decreased blood potassium level
