Inhalers & nebulizers.
Clearly explained.

Short-acting beta₂ agonists

Quick airway opening

These medicines relax muscles around the airways to ease sudden wheezing or tightness. Albuterol is an example and comes in inhaler and nebulizer forms.

Remember: Quick symptom relief does not treat the underlying airway inflammation. Follow your asthma action plan for anti-inflammatory treatment, too.

Watch for: Shakiness or a racing heartbeat. Needing your reliever more often warrants a review of your treatment.

Short-acting muscarinic antagonists

Short-acting anticholinergic

These medicines block signals that tighten airway muscles. Ipratropium (Atrovent HFA or nebulizer solution) is used mainly for COPD. It may also be added to other medicines during an asthma flare under medical direction.

Remember: “Short-acting” does not make ipratropium a substitute for your prescribed fast-acting rescue medicine.

Watch for: Dry mouth or urinary difficulty. Keep the mist out of your eyes, especially if you have glaucoma.

Long-acting beta₂ agonists

Ongoing airway opening

LABAs help airway muscles stay relaxed for longer. Examples include formoterol and salmeterol. Formoterol is also available as a nebulizer medicine for COPD.

Remember: A LABA must be paired with an inhaled corticosteroid when treating asthma. A LABA by itself is not an asthma rescue treatment. Certain ICS–formoterol plans are an exception for combination reliever use, explained below.

Watch for: Tremor, palpitations, and accidentally doubling up on LABAs in different products.

Long-acting muscarinic antagonists

Long-acting anticholinergic

LAMAs block airway-tightening signals for an extended period. Tiotropium (Spiriva) is an example. They are used for COPD maintenance; selected products can also be added to asthma treatment.

Remember: These are maintenance medicines, not rescue medicines. Device and indication matter: Spiriva HandiHaler and Respimat are different products.

Watch for: Dry mouth, urinary difficulty, or eye symptoms. HandiHaler capsules are inhaled through the device, never swallowed.

Inhaled corticosteroids

Reduce airway inflammation

ICS medicines calm swelling in the airways. Examples include budesonide and fluticasone. They are central to asthma treatment and may be included in combination treatment for selected people with COPD.

Remember: An ICS alone does not rapidly open the airways during an attack. Some combination relievers contain an ICS alongside a fast-acting bronchodilator.

Watch for: Hoarseness or oral thrush. Rinse your mouth and spit after using an ICS-containing inhaler.

Dual phosphodiesterase inhibition

Nebulized COPD maintenance

Ensifentrine (Ohtuvayre) acts on two enzymes involved in airway muscle tone and inflammation. It is a nonsteroid maintenance option for adults with COPD, delivered as a nebulized suspension.

Remember: It does not replace a rescue medicine. Use the specified nebulizer and do not mix it with other medicines in the nebulizer cup.

Watch for: Diarrhea, back pain, or urinary symptoms. Report new or worsening mood changes promptly.

Prevent the trigger response

Preventive asthma treatment

Cromolyn helps prevent the release of substances involved in an allergic airway response. It is an inhaled preventive medicine, rather than a treatment that rapidly reverses an attack.

Remember: It is not a rescue medicine. Follow the prescribed schedule and keep your designated reliever available.