Chart — Aerosol Therapy & Pharmacology
Bronchodilator Classes Comparison Chart
Bronchodilators split into two families — the β₂-agonists and the antimuscarinics — and each family has a short-acting rescue agent and a long-acting maintenance agent. This chart lines up SABA, LABA, SAMA, and LAMA so you can match the right onset and duration to the clinical job at the bedside.
Written by Apex Respiratory Editorial Team
Educational use only. This material supports respiratory therapy education and exam review. It is not medical advice and is not a substitute for clinical judgment, institutional protocols, or physician orders. Always follow facility policies and current provider orders, and verify calculations independently before clinical use.
Bronchodilator Classes Side by Side
| Class | Examples | Onset | Duration | Primary Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SABA (short-acting β₂-agonist) | Albuterol, levalbuterol | Rapid (minutes) | 4–6 h | Rescue / acute bronchospasm |
| LABA (long-acting β₂-agonist) | Salmeterol, formoterol | Salmeterol slow; formoterol fast | 12 h or more | Maintenance (with an ICS in asthma) |
| SAMA (short-acting antimuscarinic) | Ipratropium | ~15 min | 4–6 h | Acute obstruction, often added to a SABA |
| LAMA (long-acting antimuscarinic) | Tiotropium, umeclidinium, glycopyrrolate | Slow | 12–24 h | COPD maintenance mainstay |
Clinical Notes
- Rescue is a SABA.A short-acting β₂-agonist is the rescue agent for acute bronchospasm, sometimes paired with a SAMA for added effect.
- Maintenance is long-acting. A LABA (always with an ICS in asthma) or a LAMA carries the maintenance role.
- Combine in severe disease. A SABA-plus-SAMA combination is common in acute COPD and severe asthma.
- Never a LABA alone in asthma.A LABA is never used as monotherapy in asthma — it must be combined with an inhaled corticosteroid.
Related Resources
Sources
- Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. Global Strategy for Prevention, Diagnosis and Management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (current annual report). GOLD.
- Global Initiative for Asthma. Global Strategy for Asthma Management and Prevention (current annual report). GINA.
- Gardenhire DS. Rau's Respiratory Care Pharmacology. 10th ed. Elsevier; 2019.