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Inhaled QUICK RELIEF Medications
Generic Name
Brand Name
Strengths (# Doses/Inhaler)
Comments
Short-Acting Beta2-Agonists
Pre-mixed unit dose (3 mL); vials must be placed back in the foil wrap after the foil wrap is opening; expires 1 week after foil wrap is opened Albuterol for
Nebulization
0.25-0.5 mL can be added to 2-3 mL saline Supplied as 20 mL dropper bottle; must use dropper provided to measure up dose.
MDI; should be used with a spacer; shake 5 seconds; 3 primes to start; reprime after 2 weeks ProAir HFA
Albuterol
Proventil HFA,
MDI; Ventolin has a dose counter; should be used with a spacer; shake 5 seconds; 4 primes to Ventolin HFA
start; reprime after 2 weeks without use or if dropped; expires 6 months after opening MDI; should be used with a spacer; shake 5 seconds; 4 primes to start; reprime after 3 days Xopenex HFA
Levalbuterol
Xopenex Nebulized
Unit dose for nebulization; needs no mixing; must use as soon as foil wrapper is opened Maxair Autohaler
MDI; breath-actuated so no spacer needed; shake 5 seconds; 2 primes to start; reprime after 2 Pirbuterol
MDI, metered dose inhaler; CFC, chlorofluorocarbon propellants; HFA, hydrofluoroalkane propellants The information in this reference was reviewed by the UMHS Asthma Quality Improvement Steering Committee and was last updated on 1/31/2011. Questions and/or comments may be directed to Karla Stoermer-Grossman, MSA, RN, AE-C (kstoerme@umich.edu) or Annie Sy, PharmD (anniesy@umich.edu). The Regents of the University of Michigan – January 2011 Inhaled CONTROLLER Medications
Generic Name
Brand Name
Strengths (# Doses/Inhaler)
Comments
Inhaled Corticosteroids (ICS)
MDI; should be used with a spacer; no shaking required; 3 primes to start; reprime after 10 Ciclesonide
Alvesco HFA
days without use; dose indicator in increments of 10 110 mcg per actuation (14, 30, 60, or 120) Has dose counter; no priming; do not tip once dose is loaded; avoid humidity & moisture; may Mometasone
Asmanex DPI*
220 mcg per actuation (14, 30, 60, or 120) be given once daily in the evening; expires 45 days after opening Has dose counter; no priming; do not tip once dose is loaded; avoid humidity and moisture; 50 Flovent DPI*
mcg strength is equivalent to Flovent HFA 44 mcg; expires 6 weeks after opening. Fluticasone
MDI; has dose counter; should be used with a spacer; shake 5 seconds; 4 primes to start; Flovent HFA+
reprime after 7 days without use or if dropped Pulmicort Flexhaler
Has dose indicator in increments of 10; must twist fully to the right, then left twice to prime; do not tip once dose is loaded; avoid humidity and moisture Budesonide
Deliver with closed system mask if < 3 years (Bubbles fish mask); older children may use a Pulmicort Respules
12 months to 0.25, 0.5 or 1.0 mg per unit dose mouthpiece if they are able to breath through their mouths only (nose clips may be helpful); Budesonide (generic)
MDI; adults - recommended to be used without spacer; peds- may use with spacer; no shaking Beclomethasone
required; 2 primes to start; reprime after 10 days without use Long-Acting Beta2-Agonists (LABAs) - NOT TO BE USED WITHOUT ICS
Not to be used for quick relief or without ICS in asthma; has dose counter; no priming; do not
Salmeterol
Serevent DPI*
tip once dose is loaded; avoid humidity and moisture; expires 6 weeks after opened; expires 6 weeks after opening Not to be used for quick relief or without ICS in asthma; sometimes used for exercise-induced
Formoterol
Foradil DPI*
bronchospasm prevention; no priming; do not tip once dose is loaded; avoid humidity and moisture; expires 4 months after opening ICS and LABA Combinations
No priming; has dose counter; do not tip once dose is loaded; avoid humidity and moisture; do Advair DPI*
100/50, 250/50 or 500/50 mcg per inhalation (60) not use more than one dose twice daily; expires 1 month after opening Fluticasone and
Salmeterol
45/21, 115/21 or 230/21 mcg per inhalation MDI; has dose counter; should be used with a spacer; shake 5 seconds; 4 primes to start; Advair HFA
reprime after 4 weeks without use or if dropped; do not use more than twice daily MDI; should be used with a spacer; shake 5 seconds; 4 primes to start, reprime with 4 puffs Mometasone and
after 5 days without use; do not use more than twice daily; do not remove cannister from the Formoterol
MDI; has dose counter; should be used with a spacer; shake 5 seconds; 2 primes to start, Budesonide and
Symbicort HFA
80/4.5 or 160/4.5 mcg per inhalation (120) reprime after 7 days without use; do not use more than twice daily; expires 90 days after Formoterol

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