SAMA
Medical abbreviation · Respiratory
| Stands for | Short-acting muscarinic antagonist |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
SAMA stands for Short-acting muscarinic antagonist, a respiratory abbreviation.
Inhaled anticholinergic bronchodilator with a short duration of action, mainly ipratropium bromide, used as an add-on rescue treatment in acute asthma and COPD exacerbations. It is often combined with albuterol in a single nebulizer or inhaler.
Example: ED: three back-to-back albuterol-ipratropium nebs (SABA plus SAMA) for moderate asthma attack.
Usage notes
Adding ipratropium to albuterol in the emergency department reduces hospital admissions in moderate to severe asthma attacks, especially in children. Its effect builds more slowly than albuterol's. Patients on a LAMA usually do not also need a SAMA for maintenance, since both act on the same receptors.
Related abbreviations
More respiratory abbreviations
- RLL – Right lower lobe
- RML – Right middle lobe
- RSBI – Rapid shallow breathing index
- RUL – Right upper lobe
- RV – Residual volume
- SABA – Short-acting beta2-agonist
- SaO2 – Arterial oxygen saturation
- SBT – Spontaneous breathing trial
- SDB – Sleep-disordered breathing
- SIMV – Synchronized intermittent mandatory ventilation
- SOBOE – Shortness of breath on exertion
- SPN – Solitary pulmonary nodule
See all 109 respiratory abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.