Asthma Treatments: Inhalations

ASTHMA TREATMENTS: INHALATIONS
 
Brand & Company Generic Strength Formu-
lations
Class Dosage
ADVAIR DISKUS
(GlaxoSmithKline)
fluticasone propionate
+
salmeterol
100/50
250/50
500/50
(mcg)
dry pwd steroid
+
long-acting
β2-agonist
<4yrs: not recommended.
4–11yrs: 1 inh of 100/50 twice daily.
≥12yrs: initially 1 inh of 100/50 or 250/50 twice daily; max 1 inh of 500/50 twice daily.
ADVAIR HFA
(GlaxoSmithKline)
45/21
115/21
230/21
(mcg)
MDI <12yrs: not recommended.
≥12yrs: not currently on inhaled steroid: 2 inh
45/21 or 115/21 twice daily. Already on inhaled steroid: see literature. Max 2 inh 230/21 twice daily.
Albuterol
(various)
albuterol sulfate 0.5% soln β2-agonist Children: use other forms
Adults: use nebulizer. 2.5mg 3–4 times daily.
0.083% soln <4yrs: not recommended.
≥4yrs: 2 inh every 4–6 hrs as needed; 1 inh every 4 hrs may suffice.
EIB*: 2 inh 15 mins before exercise
90mcg MDI
ALUPENT
(Boehringer Ingelheim)
metaproterenol sulfate 0.65mg MDI β2-agonist Children: not recommended.
Adults: 2–3 inh every 3–4 hrs; max 12 inh daily.
0.4%
0.6%
soln Children: not recommended.
Adults: use intermittent positive pressure breathing apparatus (IPPB): 2.5mL 3–4 times daily; up to every 4 hrs.
ALVESCO
(Sunovion)
ciclesonide 80mcg
160mcg
MDA steroid Children: not recommended
Adults: previously on bronchodilators alone: initially 80mcg twice daily, max 160mcg twice daily. Previously on inhaled corticosteroids: initially 80mcg twice daily; max 320mcg twice daily. Previously on oral corticosteroids (see literature): 320mcg twice daily. Rinse mouth after use; avoid eyes.
ASMANEX TWISTHALER
(Merck)
mometasone furoate 110mcg
220mcg
dry pwd steroid <4yrs: not recommended.
4–11yrs: 110mcg once in PM; max 110mcg/day.
≥12yrs: previously on bronchodilators alone or inhaled steroids: Initially 220mcg once in PM; max 440mcg/day (as 2 inh once daily or 1 inh twice daily). Previously on oral steroids: Initially 440mcg twice daily; max 880mcg/day.
ATROVENT HFA
(Boehringer Ingelheim)
ipratropium bromide 17mcg MDI anticholinergic Children: not recommended.
Adults: 2 inh 4 times daily; max 12 inh/day.

(various)
0.02% soln Children: not recommended.
Adults: 500micrograms orally by nebulization 3–4 times daily; separate doses by 6–8 hrs.
Cromolyn
(various)
cromolyn sodium 20mg/2mL soln mast cell stabilizer <2yrs: not recommended.
≥2yrs: use nebulizer. 20mg 4 times a day.
DULERA
(Merck)
mometasone furoate
+
formoterol fumarate
100/5
200/5
(mcg)
MDI steroid
+
long-acting
β2-agonist
Children: not recommended.
Adults: Previously on medium dose of steroid: use 100/5; previously on high dose of steroid: use 200/5.
For both: Two inhalations twice daily.
FLOVENT DISKUS
(GlaxoSmithKline)
fluticasone
propionate
50mcg
100mcg
250mcg
dry pwd steroid <4yrs: not recommended.
4–11yrs: Previously on bronchodilators alone or on inhaled corticosteroids: initially 50mcg twice daily; max 100mcg twice daily.
≥11yrs: Previously on bronchodilators alone: initially 100mcg twice daily; max 500mcg twice daily. Previously on inhaled corticosteroids: initially 100–250mcg twice daily; max 500mcg twice daily. Previously on oral corticosteroids (wean gradually): initially 500–1000mcg twice daily; max 1000mcg twice daily.
FLOVENT HFA
(GlaxoSmithKline)
fluticasone
propionate
44mcg
110mcg
220mcg
MDI steriod <4yrs: not recommended.
4–11yrs: 88 mcg twice daily.
≥12yrs: previously on bronchodilators alone: Initially 88mcg twice daily; max: 440mcg twice daily. Previously on inhaled steroids: Initially 88–220mcg twice daily; max 440mcg twice daily. Previously on oral steroids: Initially 440mcg twice daily; max 880mcg twice daily.
FORADIL AEROLIZER
(Merck)
formoterol fumarate 12mcg dry pwd long-acting
β2-agonist
Asthma Maintenance
<5yrs: not recommended
≥5yrs: 1 inh every 12 hrs; max 1 inh twice daily.
Prevention of EIB*
≥5yrs: 1 inh at least 15mins before exercise; max 1 inh/12 hrs.
Brand & Company Generic Strength Formu-
lations
Class Dosage
MAXAIR AUTOHALER
(Medicis)
pirbuterol acetate 200mcg MDI β2-agonist Children: not recommended.
Adults: 1–2 inh every 4–6 hrs; max 12 inh/day.
Metaproterenol
(various)
metaproterenol sulfate 5% soln β2-agonist <6yrs: not recommended.
6–12yrs: use nebulizer. 0.1–0.2mL 3–4 times daily, up to every 4 hrs.
≥12yrs: 3–4 times daily (see literature).
PROAIR HFA
(Teva)
albuterol sulfate 90mcg MDA β2-agonist Prevention & Treatment
<4yrs: not recommended
≥4yrs: 2 inh every 4–6 hrs; 1 inh every 4 hrs may suffice.
Prevention of EIB*
≥4yrs: 2 inh 15–30mins before exercise.
PROVENTIL HFA
(Merck)
MDA Prevention & Treatment
<4yrs: use other forms.
≥4yrs: 2 inh every 4–6 hrs; 1 inh every 4 hrs may suffice.
Prevention of EIB*
≥4yrs: 2 inh 15–30mins before exercise.
PULMICORT FLEXHALER
(AstraZeneca)
budesonide 90mcg
180mcg
dry pwd steroid <6yrs: not recommended.
6–17yrs: initially 180mcg twice daily; may consider starting at 360mcg twice daily; max 360mcg twice daily.
≥18yrs: initially 360mcg twice daily; 180mcg twice daily may suffice; max 720mcg twice daily.
PULMICORT RESPULES
(AstraZeneca)
0.25mg/2mL
0.5mg/2mL
1mg/2mL
susp <6months: not recommended
6–12months: see literature.
12months–8yrs: previously on bronchodilators alone: 0.5mg/day once daily or in 2 divided doses. Previously on inhaled corticosteroids: 0.5mg/day once daily or in 2 divided doses; max 1mg/day. Previously on oral corticosteroids: 1mg/day once daily or in 2 divided doses.
Adults: use Flexhaler.
QVAR
(Teva)
beclomethasone diproprionate 40mcg
80mcg
MDI steroid <5yrs: not recommended.
≥5–11yrs: initially 40mcg twice daily; max 80mcg twice daily.
Adults: previously on bronchodilators alone: Initially 40–80mcg twice daily; previously on inhaled corticosteroids: Initially 40–160mcg twice daily. Max 320mcg twice daily.
SEREVENT DISKUS
(GlaxoSmithKline)
salmeterol xinafoate 50mcg dry pwd long-acting
β2-agonist
Asthma
<4yrs: not recommended.
≥4yrs: 1 inh twice daily.
Prevention of EIB*
≥4yrs: 1 inh at least 30mins before exercise; max 2 doses/day.
SYMBICORT
(AstraZeneca)
budesonide
+
formoterol fumarate
dihydrate
80/4.5
160/4.5
(mcg)
MDI steroid
+
long-acting
β2-agonist
For all: 2 inh twice daily (AM & PM). (see literature)
VENTOLIN HFA
(GlaxoSmithKline)
albuterol sulfate 90mcg MDA β2-agonist Prevention & Treatment
<4yrs: not recommended.
≥4yrs: 2 inh every 4–6 hours; 1 inh every 4 hours may suffice.
Prevention of EIB*
≥4yrs: 2 inh 15–30mins before exercise.
XOPENEX
(Sunovion)
levalbuterol HCl 0.31mg/3mL
0.63mg/3mL
1.25mg/3mL
soln β2-agonist <6 yrs: not recommended.
6–11 yrs: 0.31mg by nebulization 3 times daily; max 0.63mg 3 times daily.
>12yrs: initially 0.63mg 3 times daily at 6–8 hrs intervals; may increase to 1.25mg 3 times daily.
XOPENEX CONCENTRATE
(Sunovion)
1.25mg/0.5mL
XOPENEX HFA
(Sunovion)
levalbuterol tartrate 45mcg MDI Prevention & Treatment
<4yrs: not recommended.
≥4yrs: 2 inh every 4–6 hours; 1 inh every 4 hours may suffice.
NOTES

dry pwd = dry powder for inhalation; MDI = metered-dose inhaler; soln = solution for inhalation; MDA = metered dose aerosol; susp = suspension for inhalation

*EIB = exercise induced bronchospasm

(Rev. 5/2013)

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