This information is approved and/or reviewed by U-M Health System providers but it is not a tool for self-diagnosis or a substitute for medical treatment. You should speak to your physician or make an appointment to be seen if you have questions or concerns about this information or your medical condition. Exención de responsabilidad en Español | Complete disclaimer
Short-acting beta 2-agonists (SABAs) are also called quick-relief, reliever, or rescue medicines. They work fast to relax the muscles of the airways. They also prevent tightening of the muscles around the airways (bronchospasm) caused by asthma triggers such as pollens, animal dander, exercise, cold air, and air pollutants.
This medicine is used to treat acute asthma attacks.
Some other names for SABAs are albuterol (AccuNeb, Proventil HFA, ProAir HFA, Ventolin HFA), levalbuterol (Xopenex, Xopenex HFA), and pirbuterol (Maxair, Maxair Autohaler).
Combivent and DuoNeb contain both a SABA (albuterol) and an anticholinergic (ipratropium bromide).
This medicine can be inhaled using:
Nebulizer: Albuterol comes in 3 ml vials or a 0.5% solution. The most common nebulizer doses for albuterol are 1.25 mg, 2.5 mg, or 5 mg (vial) or 0.25 to .5 ml of the 0.5% solution diluted with 2 ml of sterile saline (salt water). Albuterol can be added to budesonide (Pulmicort) instead of saline in the nebulizer. Levalbuterol (Xopenex) comes in premixed vials. The suggested dose is 0.63 or 0.125 mg in 3 ml of saline.
MDI: The most common dose for an MDI is 2 puffs. Do not use more often than every 4 hours without approval from your child's healthcare provider. Call your provider if your child needs a dose more than every 4 hours. Always use the MDI with a valved holding chamber so that more medicine reaches the lungs.
Your prescribed dose of inhaled _____________________ is _______ ml mixed with ______________ and given by nebulizer ____ times a day (about every __________hours) for _______days.
OR
______ puffs of ____________________ inhaled from an MDI using a spacer ____ times a day (about every ________hours) or as needed for asthma symptoms.
The most common side effects are jitteriness and an increased heart rate.
Do not increase the number of treatments to greater than ________ within a 24-hour period without checking with your healthcare provider. If it seems like your child needs more treatments because the asthma symptoms are not helped by the medicine, call your health care provider.
Do not use Xopenex unless the solution is colorless. Store unused vials in the foil pouch provided.
