Asthma / Long-Term Control Medication—Bronchodilators—Beta Agonists Long-Acting

These medications are used to help maintain long-term control over asthma symptoms. They are usually used along with inhaled steroids.

Generic
name

Photo

Brand name

Usual Dosage

Tips and Product Link

Albuterol
sulfate

VoSpireER
Extended-Release
Tablets

For relief of bronchospasm

Age 6 to 12:
4 mg every 12 hours

Age 12 and older:
4 mg or 8 mg every 12 hours

This is a tablet form of a long-acting beta agonist (LABA).

Usually inhaled LABA medications are preferred, not tablets,
because it is felt that inhaled medications may have fewer side effects.

VoSpire Web site

Pregnancy Category C

Formoterol
Fumarate
(inhalation
powder)

Foradil Aerolizer

(Foradil is the capsule. Aerolizer is the inhaler)

Prevent asthma symptoms
(age 5 and older).

Prevent exercise-induced asthma
(age 5 and older). Occasional use once a day.

One capsule is 12mcg;
taken every 12 hours
(age 5 and older).

Onset of action is within 15 minutes.

Not to be used as a rescue medication.

Contains lactose.

Remove capsule from blister just before use.

Foradil Product Information

FDA LABA Warning

 Pregnancy Category C

Salmeterol xinafoate

Serevent Diskus

(Serevent is the medication. Diskus is the inhaler)

Prevent asthma symptoms in patients 4 and older.

One inhalation every 12 hours

Prevent exercise-induced asthma in patients 4 and older.

Onset of action ranges from 30 to 48 minutes. 

Maximum improvement is within 3 hours. 

Not to be used as a rescue medication

Contains lactose.

Link to Serevent Package Insert

FDA LABA Warning

Pregnancy Category C

*Brovana and Perforomist are LABA medication approved for use in COPD not asthma.
They are listed here for informational purposes only.

Arformoterol
tartrate

Brovana
Inhalation Solution

One 15 mcg  vial every 12 hours by compressor/nebulizer.

Approved for use in adults.

To prevent bronchoconstriction in
 patients with COPD (chronic
bronchitis and emphysema)

Approved for COPD not for asthma.

Brovana Web site

FDA LABA Warning

Pregnancy Category C

Formoterol fumarate
(inhalation solution)

Perforomist Inhalation Solution

Long-term control of COPD
(chronic bronchitis and emphysema).

20 mcg  nebule every 12 hours.

Approved for COPD maintenance  treatment.

Not approved for asthma treatment.

Use with a standard jet nebulizer with an air compressor.
..
Perforomist Web site

FDA LABA Warning

Pregnancy Category C