Table 17.1-1. Selected inhaled asthma medications used in adults

Medication

Forms

Dosage

SABAs

Fenoterol

MDI 100 microg

Reliever: 1-2 doses
Maintenance: 1-2 doses qid

Albuterol (INN salbutamol)

MDI 100 microg
DPI 100 and 200 microg
Nebulizer solution 1, 2, and 5 mg/mL

Reliever: 1-2 doses
Maintenance: 1-2 doses tid to qid

2.5-5 mg over 10 min (up to 40 mg/d in severe exacerbations)

Terbutaline

DPI 500 microg

Reliever: 1-2 doses

LABAs

Formoterol

MDI 12 microg

DPI 4.5, 9, and 12 microg

1-2 doses bid (max, 54 microg/d)

Salmeterol

MDI 25 microg
DPI 50 microg

1-2 doses bid (max, 200 microg/d)

ICSs

Beclomethasone

MDI 100 and 250 microg

50-100 microg bid (low dose)

100-200 microg bid (medium dose)

>200 microg bid (high dose)

Budesonide

MDI 200 microg
DPI 100, 200, and 400 microg
Nebulizer solution 0.125, 0.25, and 0.5 mg/mL

100-200 microg bid (low dose)

>200-400 microg bid (medium dose)

>400 microg bid (high dose)

Ciclesonide

MDI 80 and 160 microg

80-160 microg once daily (low dose)

>160-320 microg once daily (medium dose)

>320 microg once daily (high dose)

Fluticasone (propionate)

MDI 50, 125, and 250 microg
DPI 50, 100, 125, 250, and 500 microg
Nebulizer solution 0.25 and 1 mg/mL

50-125 microg bid (low dose)

>125-250 microg bid (medium dose)

>250 microg bid (high dose)

Mometasone

MDI 400 microg

110-220 microg/d (low dose)

>220-440 microg/d (medium dose)

>440 microg/d (high dose)

Fixed combination of LABA + ICS in one inhaler

Formoterol + budesonide

DPI 4.5 microg/80 microg, 4.5 microg/160 microg, 9 microg/320 microg

1-2 doses bid

Salmeterol + fluticasone propionate

MDI 25 microg/50, 125, or 250 microg

DPI 50 microg/100, 250, or 500 microg

1-2 doses bid

Formoterol + beclomethasone

MDI 6 microg/100 microg

1-2 doses bid

Vilanterol + fluticasone furoate 

DPI 25 microg/100 microg, 25 microg/200 microg

1 dose a day

Formoterol + mometasone 

MDI 5 microg/50, 100, or 200 microg

1-2 doses bid

Anticholinergics

Ipratropium (short-acting)

MDI 20 microg

Nebulizer solution (0.25 mg/mL)

In exacerbations (see text)

Tiotropium (long-acting)

Soft mist inhaler 2.5 microg

1-2 doses daily

SABA + short-acting anticholinergic in 1 inhaler

Ipratropium + fenoterol

MDI 20 microg/50 microg

In exacerbations (see text)

Fixed combination of LABA + LAMA+ ICS in 1 inhaler

Formoterol + glycopyrronium + beclomethasone

MDI 6 microg/12.5 microg/100 microg

2 doses bid

bid, 2 times a day; DPI, dry powder inhaler; ICS, inhaled corticosteroid; INN, international nonproprietary name; LABA, long-acting beta2-agonist; LAMA, long-acting muscarinic antagonist; MDI, metered-dose inhaler; qid, 4 times a day; SABA, short-acting beta2-agonist; tid, 3 times a day.