Short-Acting Beta-Agonists
Short-acting beta-agonists works quickly to relieve acute symptoms of shortness of breath. Beta-agonists relax the smooth muscles around the airways. Your doctor may prescribe a beta-agonist to use as needed to relieve acute symptoms of shortness of breath. If you use this medicine for shortness of breath more than twice a week talk with your doctor. If you use more than one of these metered-dose inhalers in a month, also talk with your doctor. It is a sign that your lung disease is poorly controlled and your long-term control medications may need to be adjusted.
- Maxair Autohaler® (pirbuterol)
- Proventil HFA®, ProAir®,
and Ventolin HFA® (albuterol)
- Xopenex® (levalbuterol)
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- Works quickly to relieve acute attack symptoms
- Relax the smooth muscles around the airways
- Side effects may include: increased heart rate, shakiness, nervous, jittery feeling
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- Available as MDI, nebulizer solution
- Usually prescribed on an as needed basis to relieve acute attack symptoms.
- May be prescribed as a "pre-treatment" before exercise to prevent symptoms of shortness of breath.
- If you use this medicine for shortness of breath more than twice a week talk with you doctor. If you use more than one metered-dose inhaler a month, also talk with your doctor or healthcare professional. This is a sign that your lung disease is not under good control and your long-term control medicine needs to be adjusted.
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This information has been approved by Ronina Covar, MD (May 2009).
