Bronchodilator facts for kids
A bronchodilator is a special kind of substance or medication that helps open up the airways in your lungs. Think of your lungs like a tree with many branches. These branches are called bronchi and bronchioles. When these airways get tight or narrow, it's hard to breathe. Bronchodilators help them relax and open wider, making it easier for air to flow in and out.
Some bronchodilators are made naturally by your body. Others are medicines that people take to help with breathing problems. They are most helpful for conditions where the airways get blocked, like Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Types of Bronchodilators
Bronchodilators come in two main types: short-acting and long-acting.
Quick-Acting Bronchodilators
Quick-acting bronchodilators work very fast. They are like a "rescue" medicine for sudden breathing problems, such as when someone has an asthma attack and their airways suddenly get tight. They give quick relief.
Some common quick-acting bronchodilators include:
- Salbutamol/albuterol (often known as Proventil or Ventolin)
- Levosalbutamol/levalbuterol (Xopenex)
- Pirbuterol (Maxair)
- Epinephrine (Primatene Mist, which is no longer sold)
- Racemic Epinephrine (Asthmanefrin, a replacement for Primatene Mist)
- Ephedrine (Bronkaid)
- Terbutaline
Long-Acting Bronchodilators
Long-acting bronchodilators work for a longer time. They are used every day to help control and prevent breathing problems. They don't give instant relief like the quick-acting ones. Instead, they help keep the airways open over many hours. People often use them along with other medicines, like inhaled steroids, to manage conditions like asthma over time.
Some common long-acting bronchodilators include:
- Salmeterol (Serevent)
- Clenbuterol (Spiropent)
- Formoterol
- Bambuterol
- Indacaterol
See also
In Spanish: Broncodilatador para niños
