What patients need to know about LABAs
The following was originally published on healthcentral.com/asthma on May 18, 2015. Understanding Long Acting Beta Adrenergics (LABAs) One of the best medicines for helping people with asthma breathe better are Long Acting Beta Agonists (LABAs). So what are LABAs, and how do they help you? Asthma is a disease where exposure to asthma triggers causes the smooth muscles ( bronchial muscles ) wrapped around airways to spasm and contract. This causes airways to become narrow, thus making breathing difficult. To understand LABAs better we must first understand SABAs. Short Acting Beta Agonists (SABAs) : These were revolutionized throughout the course of the 20th century. They are medicines that, once inhaled, join with beta 2 adrenergic receptors lining bronchial muscles causing them to relax. This opens up airways, making breathing easier. This reaction is fast, but short acting. Examples include: Albuterol (Ventolin) . It usually lasts 4-6 hours. Levalbuterol (Xopenex) . ...