Maxair

Maxair is a prescription medicine that is licensed to prevent and treat bronchospasms caused by asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The drug causes the muscles around airways to relax, which opens up the airways and allows more air to get into and through the lungs. The drug starts working within five minutes of use, and its effects usually last for five hours.

 

What Is Maxair?

Maxair® (pirbuterol acetate) is a prescription medication that is used to prevent or treat bronchospasms. Bronchospasms are most common in people with asthma, but can also occur in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
 
(Click Maxair Uses for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Who Makes It?

Maxair is made by the Graceway Pharmaceuticals.
 

How Does It Work?

Normally, air moves easily into and out of the lungs through a network of airways. During an asthma attack, however, the muscles around these airways tighten. This narrows the airways and makes it harder to breathe. This is called bronchospasm.
 
Maxair is part of a class of drugs called beta-adrenergic receptor agonists, or beta agonists for short. Beta agonists stimulate beta receptors in the body, including those on the muscles around airways. This stimulation causes the muscles to relax, which opens up the airways and allows more air to get into and through the lungs.
 
Maxair also has some effects on decreasing the activity of mast cells in the lungs, which play an important role in inflammation and allergic reactions.
 
(Maxair Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;