Short-acting Inhaled B2-agonists (SABAs)

Short-acting Inhaled B2-agonists (SABAs)

Overview

  • First choice for acute asthma treatment

  • Potent and rapid onset of action

Effectiveness

  • Most effective in reversing early-phase asthma

  • No clinically relevant tolerance to airway response

Administration Routes

  • Inhaled route: provides effective bronchodilation with fewer side effects

  • Oral route: not suitable for acute severe asthma due to:

    • Slow onset of action

    • Lower efficacy

    • Erratic absorption

  • IV B2-agonists: discouraged for asthma management

Use in Clinical Settings

  • Aerosolized SABAs: drug of choice for ED or hospital management

  • Albuterol inhalers: currently not interchangeable

Drug Composition

  • Xopenex: racemic mixture

  • Albuterol: combination of R and S enantiomers

Examples of SABAs

  • Albuterol

  • Levalbuterol (R-albuterol)

  • Pirbuterol