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Rescue vs. Long-Acting Inhalers: What’s the Difference?
In this video, Sidney Braman, MD, explains what inhalers are, how they work, and when to use the two main types of inhalers: short-acting inhalers and long-acting inhalers.
Written by Lauren Smith, MA | Reviewed by Alexandra Schwarz, MD
Updated on January 30, 2024The thing most commonly associated with asthma is undoubtedly the inhaler. Inhalers are a key part of treatment for asthma, which causes inflammation in the airways and restricts breathing.
Despite most people’s familiarity with this life-saving device, many are surprised upon being diagnosed with asthma that there is more than one type of inhaler. Asthma inhalers, also called bronchodilators, come in two main forms: short-acting (or “rescue”) inhalers and long-acting inhalers.
Additional Medical Contributors
- Sidney Braman, MDDr. Braman is a physician specializing in pulmonary medicine and a professor of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine Division at Icahn School of Medicine.
References
American Lung Association. (2023). Learn about asthma.
American Lung Association. (2023). Understand your asthma medication.
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