Asthma, which affects more than 20 million people in the United States and 4 to 7 percent of people worldwide, according to the Merck Manual, causes airways to constrict in response to inflammation. The leading cause of hospitalization of children in the United States, asthma causes around 4,000 deaths each year. Many asthma medications are given in nebulizer form because the inhaled medication is delivered directly to the lungs, the disease source. Different types of nebulized medications have different actions and uses.
Short-Acting Bronchodilators
Bronchodilators relax smooth muscle, which opens the airways, allowing more air in and making it easier to breathe. Bronchodilators come in short-acting and long-acting forms. Short-acting bronchodilators, called beta agonists or rescue medications, such as albuterol, levalbuterol and pibuterol, sold as Maxair, work within minutes and last six to eight hours, Merck states. Short-acting bronchodilators are given during acute asthma attacks. Ipratropium, sold as Atrovent, is a short-acting anti-cholinergic bronchodilator.
Long-Acting Bronchodilators
Long-acting bronchodilators, called long-acting beta agonists or LABAs, last up to 12 hours and are taken on a regular schedule to prevent moderate to severe asthma rather than as rescue medications. LABAs also reduce the incidence of nighttime asthma attacks. LABAs such as salmeterol and formoterol can cause more severe asthma attacks if not taken with corticosteroids, the Mayo Clinic warns. LABAs and corticosteroids can be combined in a single inhaler.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids, the most effective long-term treatment for asthma, reduce inflammation and swelling in the airways. Corticosteroids may take several weeks to reach peak effectiveness, the Mayo Clinic states. Inhaled corticosteroids include budesonide, ciclesonide, fluticasone and mometasone. Inhaled corticosteroids can cause hoarseness and oral infection with candida. Easy bruising, thinning skin, cataracts and osteoporosis, all common side effects of systemic corticosteroids, can also occur with inhaled steroids.
Mast Cell Stabilizers
Mast cell stabilizers such as cromolyn sodium reduce airway hypersensitivity in asthma. Mast cell stabilizers take several weeks to become effective and are used several times a day, the Palo Alto Medical Foundation states. Mast cell stabilizers can cause cough, sore throat, runny nose, headache and an unpleasant taste in the mouth.
