Relief Treatment
Common relief medication
- Salbutamol (also known as Ventolin)
- Terbutaline (also known as Bricanyl)
- Ipatropium bromide (also known as Atrovent)
- Salmeterol (also known as Serevent)-This is a long acting drug that is given 12 hourly
- Formoterol fumerate (also known as Oxis)- This is a long acting drug that is given 12 hourly
In the UK, salbutamol is one of the most commonly used inhalers. It usually comes as a blue inhaler and once given begins to become effective after 10 minutes. It’s effects may last upto 4 hours but sometimes it has to be given more frequently, particulalrly if the child is struggling to breathe. This will be covered in more detail in the “Emergency treatment” section.
