Is formoterol a reliever or preventer?
Formoterol is a fast-acting long-acting bronchodilator, not a preventer. Why it must be combined with a corticosteroid in asthma, and how MART works.
Neither on its own – it is a long-acting bronchodilator
Formoterol is a long-acting beta2-agonist (LABA). It opens the airways and, unusually for a LABA, starts working within one to three minutes. It does not treat airway inflammation, so it is not a preventer by itself. In asthma, formoterol must never be used alone – it is always combined with an inhaled corticosteroid, which is the preventer part.
Where formoterol acts as a reliever
Budesonide/formoterol can be prescribed as both the daily maintenance inhaler and the reliever. This is called maintenance and reliever therapy (MART) and is used to reduce asthma attacks. It works because each puff delivers the corticosteroid preventer together with the fast-acting formoterol.
Medicines discussed here:
Formoterol — Foradil, Oxis
Persistent asthma (with ICS); COPD maintenance
Budesonide / Formoterol — Symbicort
Asthma (maintenance and reliever therapy — MART); COPD maintenance
Salbutamol (Inhaler) — Ventolin, Asthavent, Cipla Salbutamol, Aerolin
Asthma (reliever); COPD (reliever); acute bronchospasm
Know which plan you are on
- Ask whether your combination inhaler is prescribed as MART or as maintenance only.
- If it is maintenance only, keep a separate reliever such as salbutamol.
- Never buy or use formoterol alone for asthma.
- Report tremor or palpitations to your clinician.
Get help if the reliever is not working
Common questions
- Is formoterol a reliever or preventer?
- Formoterol is a long-acting bronchodilator with a fast onset. It is not a preventer on its own; in asthma it is always combined with an inhaled corticosteroid, and budesonide/formoterol can be used as both maintenance and reliever (MART).
- Can formoterol be used alone for asthma?
- No. In asthma, formoterol must always be combined with an inhaled corticosteroid.
Sources
- Primary Healthcare STG and EML, Appendix II: Respiratory devicesNational Department of Health, South Africa
- Primary Healthcare Standard Treatment Guidelines and Essential Medicines ListNational Department of Health, South Africa
Sources last checked 6 October 2026.