Bronchodilators - Long-acting Beta-2 Agonists (LABAs)
![Inhaler Inhaler](https://respelearning.scot/sites/default/files/Untitled_Artwork.jpg)
Used regularly, they can help to control breathlessness in asthma and COPD by keeping airways open and add to the effectiveness of inhaled steroids in asthma.
- Duration of action lasts around 12 hours so twice daily dose is recommended.
- Most effective in control of moderate to severe disease.
- May be effective in management of symptoms overnight due to their prolonged duration.
- They do not address any underlying inflammation. Therefore LABAs should be used with an inhaled corticosteroid in a combination inhaler for treatment of asthma.(using LABA without inhaled corticosteroid can be dangerous for asthmatic patients) LABAs can be given without inhaled corticosteroids for other conditions such as COPD.