How do you treat bronchospasm?

How do you treat bronchospasm?

Bronchospasm treatment usually starts with bronchodilators. This medication is available in different forms, including inhalers, nebulizer solutions and tablets. In more severe cases, your healthcare provider may recommend steroids to reduce inflammation in your airways.

Short-acting bronchodilators

Short-acting bronchodilators offer quick “rescue relief” for bronchospasm symptoms. These medications can widen your airways in a matter of minutes and the effects last up to six hours. Common short-acting bronchodilators include albuterol and levalbuterol.

Long-acting bronchodilators

Long-acting bronchodilators reduce your risk of bronchospasms in the future. With the exception of formoterol, they aren't useful as rescue inhalers because they don’t offer immediate relief. While the effects take longer to kick in, they last for up to 12 hours. Common long-acting bronchodilators include salmeterol, formoterol and vilanterol.

Other forms of long-acting bronchodilators include anticholinergics which are also available in short-acting (e.g ipratropium) and long-acting forms of inhalers (e.g tiotropium, umeclidinium and aclidinium).

Steroids

Steroids help reduce inflammation in your airways. These medications are often inhaled. But if your bronchospasm is severe, steroids may be given in pill form or through an IV line (intravenously).