Medications for asthma
There are two main types of medicines for asthma:
[1] Quick relief medicines give rapid, short-term treatment and are taken when you have worsening asthma symptoms that can lead to asthma episodes or attacks. You will feel the effects of these medicines within minutes.
[2] Long-term control medicines are taken every day, usually over long periods of time, to control chronic symptoms and to prevent asthma episodes or attacks. You will feel the full effects of these medicines after taking them for a few days to weeks. People with persistent asthma need long-term control medicines.
Quick relief medicines
are used only when needed. A type of quick relief medicine is a short-acting inhaled bronchodilator. Bronchodilators work by relaxing tightened muscles around the airways. They help open up airways quickly and ease breathing. They are sometimes called "rescue" or "relief" medicines because they can stop an asthma attack. These medicines act quickly but their effects only last for a short period of time. You should take quick relief medicines when you first begin to feel asthma symptoms like coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath. Anyone who has asthma should always have one of these inhalers in case of an attack. For severe attacks, your doctor may use steroids to treat the inflammation.
Long-term control medicines
are the most effective, long-term control medication for asthma is an inhaled corticosteroid (kor-ti-ko-STE-roid) because this medicine reduces the swelling and inflammation of the airways that makes asthma attacks more likely.
Inhaled corticosteroids (or steroids for short) are the preferred treatment for controlling mild, moderate, and severe persistent asthma. They are safe when taken as directed by your doctor. Inhaled medicines go directly into your lungs where they are needed. There are many kinds of inhalers that require different techniques, and it is important to know how to use your inhaler correctly. In some cases, steroid tablets or liquid are used for short time periods to bring asthma under control. The tablet or liquid form may also be used to control severe asthma.
Long-acting beta-agonists are another kind of long-term control medication. They are bronchodilators, not anti-inflammatory drugs. These medicines are used to help control moderate and severe asthma and to help or prevent nighttime and exercise symptoms. Long-acting beta-agonists are taken together with inhaled corticosteroid medicine.
Leukotriene modifiers ( montelukast, zafirlukast, and zileuton) are long-term control medicines used either alone to treat mild persistent asthma or together with inhaled corticosteroids to treat moderate persistent asthma or severe persistent asthma.
Cromolyn and nedocromil are also long-term control medicines used to treat mild persistent asthma. These medicines have largely been replaced by newer medications.
Theophylline is a long-term control medication used either alone to treat mild persistent asthma or together with inhaled corticosteroids to treat moderate persistent asthma. People who take theophylline should have their blood levels checked regularly to be sure the dose is appropriate.
If you stop taking long-term control medicines, your asthma will likely worsen again.
Many people with asthma need both a short-acting bronchodilator to use when symptoms worsen and long-term daily asthma control medication to treat the ongoing inflammation. Over time, your doctor may need to make changes in your asthma medication. You may need to increase your dose, lower your dose, or try a combination of medications. Be sure to work with your doctor to find the best treatment for your asthma. The goal is to use the least amount of medicine necessary to control your asthma.
Ask your doctor about how you can help take care of your own asthma. You should know:
* How to take your long-term daily medication correctly
* What things tend to make your asthma worse and ways to avoid them
* Early signs to watch for that mean your asthma is starting to get worse (like a drop in your peak flow number or an increase in symptoms)
* How and when to use your peak flow meter
* What medication and how much to take to stop an asthma attack and how to use it correctly
* When to call or see your doctor
* When you should get emergency treatment