Which of the following is considered a "front door" bronchodilator?

A "front door" bronchodilator typically refers to a medication that provides quick relief of bronchospasm by acting rapidly on beta-adrenergic receptors in the lungs. This terminology is often used to describe short-acting bronchodilators that are effective for acute asthma attacks or exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Albuterol is a well-known short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) that acts quickly to relax airway muscles, making it an essential treatment for acute bronchoconstriction. Salmeterol, on the other hand, is a long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) which is often used for maintenance therapy rather than immediate relief of symptoms. Although it is not a "front door" medication in the acute sense, it is included in the answer as it plays a critical role in long-term management of asthma and COPD.

Thus, the rationale for considering both albuterol and salmeterol as "front door" bronchodilators stems from their complementary roles in managing conditions like asthma and COPD. Albuterol provides that immediate rescue effect, while salmeterol supports ongoing control of symptoms. This collective understanding leads to the conclusion that both medications can be seen as important components in the broader