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Table 1 SABAs and LABAs commonly used in COPD

From: Long-acting beta-agonists in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: current and future agents

Drug

Dose delivered by inhaler (μg)

Other formulations

Recommended dose

Duration of action (hours)

Onset of action

Short-acting

Salbutamol (albuterol)

100, 200 (MDI & DPI)

Solution for nebulizer; oral (syrup, tablets); vials for injection

200 μg up to 4 times daily

4-6

5 mins

Terbutaline

400, 500 (DPI)

 

500 μg up to 4 times daily

4-6

30 mins

Long-acting

Formoterol

4.5-12 (MDI & DPI)

Solution for nebulizer (20 μg/2 mL)

12 μg twice daily (Aerolizer/Easyhaler

9 μg† twice daily (Turbuhaler)

20 μg twice daily (Nebulizer)

12+

<5 mins*

Arformoterol

 

Solution for nebulizer (15 μg/2 mL)

15 μg twice daily

12+

6.7 mins*

Salmeterol

25-50 (MDI & DPI)

 

50 μg twice daily

12+

2 hours**

  1. DPI, dry powder inhaler; MDI, metered dose inhaler * mean FEV1 increase of 15%; ** mean FEV1 increase of 12% or more and at least 200 mL; † delivered dose (equivalent to 12 μg metered dose)