Drug name(s) | Preparation(s)¶ | Dose |
Albuterol MDIΔ | MDI: 90 mcg/inhalation (United States) MDI: 100 mcg/inhalation (Canada) | Usual dose: 2 inhalations every 4 to 6 hours as needed Acute exacerbation at home: 2 to 4 inhalations, can be repeated every 20 minutes for a total of 3 doses, then as directed◊ Acute care setting: 4 to 8 inhalations every 20 minutes for 3 doses§, then taper depending on response to therapy |
Albuterol DPIΔ | DPI: 90 mcg/actuation (United States) DPI: 97 mcg/actuation (Canada) | Usual dose: 2 inhalations every 4 to 6 hours, as needed Acute exacerbation at home: 2 to 4 inhalations, can be repeated every 20 minutes for a total of 3 doses, then as directed◊ Acute care setting: 4 to 8 inhalations every 20 minutes for 3 doses§, then taper depending on response to therapy |
Albuterol DPI (Canada) | DPI: 200 mcg/actuation (Canada) | Usual dose: 1 inhalation every 4 to 6 hours, as needed Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction: 1 inhalation 15 minutes prior to exercise |
Albuterol solution for nebulization | Nebulizer solutions:
| Usual dose: 2.5 mg every 4 to 6 hours, as needed Acute exacerbation at home: Administer 2.5 mg, can repeat every 20 minutes for total of 3 doses, then decrease frequency to every 1 to 4 hours, as tolerated Acute care setting: Administer 2.5 to 5 mg, can repeat every 20 minutes for total of 3 doses, then decrease frequency to every 1 to 4 hours, as tolerated Acute care setting (critically ill): Continuous nebulizer treatment: Use a large volume nebulizer, 10 to 15 mg/hour in monitored setting |
Levalbuterol MDIΔ | 45 mcg/inhalation | Usual dose: 2 inhalations every 4 to 6 hours, as needed Acute exacerbation at home: 2 to 4 inhalations; can be repeated every 20 minutes for a total of 3 doses, then as directed◊ Acute care setting: 4 to 8 inhalations every 20 minutes for 3 doses, then taper depending on response to therapy§ |
Levalbuterol solution for nebulization | Nebulizer solution:
| Usual dose: Administer 0.63 to 1.25 mg (equivalent to 1.25 to 2.5 mg albuterol) every 6 to 8 hours, as needed (up to 3 doses per 24 hours) Acute exacerbation at home: Administer 1.25 mg; can be repeated every 20 minutes for a total of 3 doses, then decrease frequency to every 1 to 4 hours, as tolerated Acute care setting: Administer 1.25 mg to 2.5 mg (equivalent to 2.5 to 5 mg of albuterol); can repeat every 20 minutes for total of 3 doses, then decrease frequency to every 1 to 4 hours, as tolerated |
Terbutaline DPI | DPI: 0.5 mg/actuation (Canada) | Usual dose: 1 inhalation every 4 hours, as needed If no effect after 5 minutes, can repeat dose |
Ipratropium-albuterol SMI¥ | SMI: Ipratropium 20 mcg and albuterol 100 mcg/inhalation | Usual dose (off-label): 2 inhalations every 6 hours, as needed Acute exacerbation (off-label): 4 to 8 inhalations every 20 minutes for 3 doses, and then as needed for up to 3 hours |
Ipratropium-albuterol solution for nebulization | Nebulizer solution: Ipratropium 0.5 mg and albuterol 2.5 mg per 3 mL/vial¥ | Usual dose (off-label): Administer 1 vial (3 mL) every 4 to 6 hours, as needed Acute exacerbation (off-label): Administer 1 vial (3 mL), every 20 minutes for 3 doses, and then as needed for up to 3 hours |