What is a long-acting beta-2 agonist (LABA) inhaler?
Long-acting beta-2 agonists (LABAs) are a type of long-acting bronchodilator medicine that relax the muscles around your airways. This helps to keep your airways open and makes it easier for you to breathe.
You’ll usually be given a LABA medicine in an inhaler. LABA inhalers can help some people with long-term lung conditions like asthma and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) to manage their symptoms.
If you have asthma, a LABA-only inhaler should never be the only treatment you use
LABA-only inhalers should never be used in place of your reliever inhaler because they do not quickly relieve symptoms. This is because they do not treat the inflammation which causes asthma symptoms and asthma attacks.
LABA inhalers are called long acting because the effects last at least 12 hours. This is different to the short-acting bronchodilator in your reliever inhaler, which lasts for up to four hours.
Theophylline is another kind of LABA medicine which comes as a tablet. Find out more about theophylline.
Types of inhalers
Preventer inhalers are inhalers that you should take every day to lower your risk of symptoms. You might also call this a maintenance inhaler. If you have asthma, your preventer inhaler should contain inhaled steroids.
Reliever inhalers are inhalers that you should only take when you have symptoms.
Combination inhalers contain two or more medicines. If you have asthma, your combination inhaler should contain inhaled steroids.
MART (Maintenance and Reliever Therapy) and AIR (anti-inflammatory reliever) inhalers are specific combination inhalers that only contain an inhaled steroid and a type of LABA called formoterol. In asthma, these can be used as both a reliever and a preventer inhaler.
Ask your GP, nurse or pharmacist if you're not sure what inhaler you have. Ask them to write this in your asthma action plan or COPD self-management plan.
When are LABA inhalers prescribed?
If your symptoms are not controlled well even though you’re regularly taking other treatments as prescribed, you may be given an inhaler with a LABA.
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If you have asthma this means you’re taking your steroid preventer inhaler as prescribed but you’re still getting symptoms.
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If you have COPD this means you’re taking a short-acting bronchodilator but you’re still getting symptoms. Find out more about medicines for COPD, including long-acting bronchodilator inhalers.
When you’re using LABA inhalers, you still need to keep taking your other medicines as prescribed.
This means you still need to:
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continue to take your preventer medicines as prescribed. This reduces inflammation in your airways and helps you avoid symptoms.
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always keep your reliever inhaler with you. You’ll still need to use it if you have an asthma attack or COPD flare-up.
LABA in a combination inhaler
If you have asthma or COPD with asthma-like features, you should be prescribed a LABA as part of a combination inhaler. This will contain the LABA and other medicines, for example inhaled steroids.
Combination inhalers can be useful if you already take inhaled steroids to manage your symptoms. This is because you’ll still need to use an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) with your LABA medicine and a combination inhaler makes this easier to do. There’s also some evidence that combination inhalers work better and are safer than using separate inhalers.
Examples of combination inhalers include Seretide, Symbicort and Fostair.
We have more information about combination inhalers including the different types and when you can use them.
LABA-only inhalers
Most LABA medicines are prescribed in combination inhalers but sometimes, you might be given an inhaler that only has the LABA in it.
Examples of LABA-only inhalers include:
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Serevent or Vertine (salmeterol)
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Foradil or Oxis (formoterol)
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Striverdi (olodaterol)
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Onbrez (indacaterol).
Side effects of LABA inhalers
LABA inhalers are safe and effective for most people but like with any medicine, you may get side effects. These usually get better after a few weeks of using the inhaler.
Common side effects that affect less than 1 in 100 people can include:
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feeling shaky
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headaches
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faster heart rate or more noticeable heartbeats
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muscle cramps.
You can avoid side effects by taking your inhaler exactly as prescribed and using the right inhaler technique. If you have a metered-dose inhaler (MDI), using a spacer and rinsing your mouth out after using your inhaler will help you to avoid oral thrush or a sore mouth.
Ask your GP, nurse or pharmacist about the best way to use your inhaler
Using your inhaler in the right way can make a big difference to how well you manage your symptoms. This is because using the correct technique makes sure you’re getting the right dose of medicine into your lungs.
You can also check your inhaler technique by watching our short videos on the correct way to use your inhaler.
You can get more information on side effects from the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine. You can also ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist to explain the possible side effects to you.
If you have side effects or are worried about your medicines, speak to a healthcare professional. They can talk to you about other treatments that could work better for you.
We also have more information about changing asthma medicines.
Get support
Call or WhatsApp our helpline for support with your condition. Get advice on your medicines, symptoms or travelling with a lung condition, or just call us to say hello.
