There are two types of asthma medications: quick relief medications for acute flare-ups, and those for long-term control, to prevent future attacks. Medications for long-term control are to be taken as directed by your doctor, every day, even when you are not having symptoms. Most asthma medications are inhaled so they can act directly on the inner wall of airways.
Your doctor may prescribe a combination of an inhaler that provides the quick relief of a bronchodilator and the long-term prevention of a corticosteroid.
Medications for flare-ups
These medicines are called bronchodilators or beta agonists. Inhaled bronchodilators provide immediate relief during an asthma attack. You use them when you already have the symptoms - shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing or chest tightness. They are rapid acting, "rescue" medicines. Type of inhaler, frequency of use and number of puffs are all decided by your doctor. Bronchodilators:
Work quickly and last for varying periods of time. Short-acting albuterol lasts only four to six hours. Long-acting salmeterol lasts up to 12 hours.
Open narrowed airways and relieve bronchoconstriction (spasms of the airways).
Do little to reduce the chronic inflammation that makes bronchial tubes overly sensitive.
Help stop asthma attacks once they've begun, and are used as needed.
Can be prescribed to prevent an asthma attack before exercise or during allergy season, both of which can trigger flare-ups.
Long-term control
If you have chronic asthma, the condition is always with you. The inhaled steroids are to be taken every day, possibly with other medications, to prevent attacks and even help to manage a current flare-up.
Anti-inflammatory medications prevent asthma flare-ups. They are often taken every day. Some people find it useful to take them as part of a daily routine, such as when getting up in the morning or when having breakfast. Continue to take asthma medications even if you are feeling fine and coughing only a little.
Corticosteroids are not the same as anabolic steroids used by body builders. On the contrary, the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) recommends the use of corticosteroids as a safe and effective way to prevent acute asthma attacks.
Dry powder or aerosol are the commonly prescribed forms and can take a week or more to start working fully. Inhaled corticosteroids:
Are most effective medications to prevent swelling and irritation in the lining of inflamed airways.
May help reduce your need for inhaled bronchodilators.
Block the chemicals in your body that cause inflammation.
Have minimal side effects when used for short periods of time.
Mast cell stabilizer
Mast cell stabilizers work by preventing the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation. Mast cells play an important role in the body's allergic response. In an allergic response, an allergen stimulates the release of antibodies, which attach themselves to mast cells. Following subsequent allergen exposure, the mast cells release substances such as histamine - a chemical responsible for allergic symptoms.
Cromolyn is a non-steroidal inhaler used for prevention of asthma. Cromolyn inhalers are especially useful in exercise-induced asthma, and are recommended for use before exposure to an anticipated trigger, especially exercise.
Leukotriene modifiers
Antileukotrienes, also known as leukotriene inhibitors or modifiers, are among the newest oral anti-inflammatory medications. The body processes leukotrienes, chemicals that cause inflammation, as part of the reaction to an allergen.
Leukotriene inhibitors, such as montelukast, are tablets that prevent the action of inflammatory substances. Taken by mouth every day, these drugs help to prevent the potentially life-threatening processes during an asthma attack that lead to airway narrowing: fluid retention, mucous buildup and smooth muscle constriction in the airway wall.
Like corticosteroids, they are used to prevent future asthma flare-ups, so it is best to make these drugs as part of your daily routine if prescribed by your doctor. Leukotriene inhibitors:
May be useful as a primary treatment to control mild persistent asthma or as add-on therapy with moderate or severe persistent asthma.
Block the recognition of allergens, thereby avoiding the usual cascade of symptoms.
May have side effects that include headache and nausea, and they may interact negatively with other drugs, such as blood thinners.
Your doctor may prescribe a combination of an inhaler that provides the quick relief of a bronchodilator and the long-term prevention of a corticosteroid.
Medications for flare-ups
These medicines are called bronchodilators or beta agonists. Inhaled bronchodilators provide immediate relief during an asthma attack. You use them when you already have the symptoms - shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing or chest tightness. They are rapid acting, "rescue" medicines. Type of inhaler, frequency of use and number of puffs are all decided by your doctor. Bronchodilators:
Work quickly and last for varying periods of time. Short-acting albuterol lasts only four to six hours. Long-acting salmeterol lasts up to 12 hours.
Open narrowed airways and relieve bronchoconstriction (spasms of the airways).
Do little to reduce the chronic inflammation that makes bronchial tubes overly sensitive.
Help stop asthma attacks once they've begun, and are used as needed.
Can be prescribed to prevent an asthma attack before exercise or during allergy season, both of which can trigger flare-ups.
Long-term control
If you have chronic asthma, the condition is always with you. The inhaled steroids are to be taken every day, possibly with other medications, to prevent attacks and even help to manage a current flare-up.
Anti-inflammatory medications prevent asthma flare-ups. They are often taken every day. Some people find it useful to take them as part of a daily routine, such as when getting up in the morning or when having breakfast. Continue to take asthma medications even if you are feeling fine and coughing only a little.
Corticosteroids are not the same as anabolic steroids used by body builders. On the contrary, the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) recommends the use of corticosteroids as a safe and effective way to prevent acute asthma attacks.
Dry powder or aerosol are the commonly prescribed forms and can take a week or more to start working fully. Inhaled corticosteroids:
Are most effective medications to prevent swelling and irritation in the lining of inflamed airways.
May help reduce your need for inhaled bronchodilators.
Block the chemicals in your body that cause inflammation.
Have minimal side effects when used for short periods of time.
Mast cell stabilizer
Mast cell stabilizers work by preventing the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation. Mast cells play an important role in the body's allergic response. In an allergic response, an allergen stimulates the release of antibodies, which attach themselves to mast cells. Following subsequent allergen exposure, the mast cells release substances such as histamine - a chemical responsible for allergic symptoms.
Cromolyn is a non-steroidal inhaler used for prevention of asthma. Cromolyn inhalers are especially useful in exercise-induced asthma, and are recommended for use before exposure to an anticipated trigger, especially exercise.
Leukotriene modifiers
Antileukotrienes, also known as leukotriene inhibitors or modifiers, are among the newest oral anti-inflammatory medications. The body processes leukotrienes, chemicals that cause inflammation, as part of the reaction to an allergen.
Leukotriene inhibitors, such as montelukast, are tablets that prevent the action of inflammatory substances. Taken by mouth every day, these drugs help to prevent the potentially life-threatening processes during an asthma attack that lead to airway narrowing: fluid retention, mucous buildup and smooth muscle constriction in the airway wall.
Like corticosteroids, they are used to prevent future asthma flare-ups, so it is best to make these drugs as part of your daily routine if prescribed by your doctor. Leukotriene inhibitors:
May be useful as a primary treatment to control mild persistent asthma or as add-on therapy with moderate or severe persistent asthma.
Block the recognition of allergens, thereby avoiding the usual cascade of symptoms.
May have side effects that include headache and nausea, and they may interact negatively with other drugs, such as blood thinners.
