Medications for Asthma
by
Cynthia M. Johnson, MA Asthma Management: Quick-Relief and Controller Medications Here are the basics about each of the medicines below. Only common problems with them are listed. Prescription Medicine
Short-acting Rescue MedicinesThese drugs can be used to treat sudden symptoms or for long-term control. Beta-2-agonists (Inhalers)
Common names are:
These drugs help to open the airways. This can provide quick relief. They can also be used before exercise. Some problems are:
Ipratropium Bromide Ipratropium opens the airways and may ease mucus. Tiotropium has also been used. They are inhaled to ease coughing, wheezing, and problems breathing. They are not often used in children. Ipratropium is often used with other bronchodilators to treat sudden, severe attacks. Common problems are:
Corticosteroids (Oral) Common names are:
These drugs help ease inflammation and prevent symptoms from getting worse. They can cause side effects when taken orally instead of being inhaled. Long-term use is not advised. Some problems are:
Magnesium sulfate (inhaled) Magnesium sulfate may help treat adults with acute asthma. Long-term Control MedicationsThese drugs are used to control symptoms and ease inflammation. Corticosteroids (Inhaler) Common names are:
These drugs reduce, control, and reverse inflammation. They may reduce the need to use oral corticosteroids and rescue medicine as often. Some problems are:
Mast-cell Stabilizer Inhalers Common names are:
These drugs may be used to prevent symptoms over the long term. They ease inflammation and can also be used before exercise. Some people may have problems with cough when using these. Long-acting Beta-2-agonists Common names are:
These drugs may be used to prevent symptoms over the long term. They are helpful at night and are often added to anti-inflammatory therapy, such as inhaled corticosteroids. They can also be used before exercise or exposure to an allergen. They should not be used during a sudden attack. Some problems are:
Long-acting inhalers, like salmeterol, may raise the risk of asthma-related death, intubation (putting a tube in the windpipe to breathe), and hospitalization. This often happens when they are taken in error and used as rescue inhalers. These drugs are almost always given with an inhaled corticosteroid. Methylxanthines Common names include theophylline. These drugs may be used to prevent symptoms over the long term. They are helpful at night. It works by opening the airways and relaxing the muscles around the bronchial tubes. It also makes it easier to clear mucus out of the airway. Some problems are:
Leukotriene Modifiers
Leukotriene modifiers ease inflammation by preventing the action of leukotrienes, which sustain inflammation. These types of medications are not used to ease sudden symptoms. They can be used to prevent symptoms from happening. Some problems are:
Leukotriene blockers ease inflammation by stopping the production of leukotrienes. They are used for long-term control and prevention in mild asthma. Some problems are:
Immunomodulators Omalizumab is a common name for this drug. An injection of this drug binds to an antibody that leads to allergic symptoms. It provides long-term control and prevention of symptoms in mild asthma. Some problems may be:
Combination DrugsSome drugs are combined to make them easier to take and prevent people from using the wrong inhaler. Common combinations are:
These drugs provide long-term control and prevention of symptoms by combining a long-acting beta-2-agonist and an inhaled steroid. The side effects are the same as the ones listed for the individual drugs. Special ConsiderationsWhen taking medicine:
References:
Acute asthma exacerbation in children. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
https://www.dyname.... Updated August 22, 2018. Accessed October 22, 2019.
Asthma exacerbation in adults and adolescents. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
https://www.dyname.... Updated January 29, 2019. Accessed October 22, 2019.
Asthma in adults and adolescents. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at:
https://www.dyname.... Updated October 11, 2019. Accessed October 22, 2019.
Asthma treatment. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America website. Available at: ...(Click grey area to select URL) Updated September 2015. Accessed October 23, 2019.
Chronic asthma in children. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
https://www.dynamed.com/condition/chronic-asthma-in-children. Updated September 27, 2019. Accessed October 22, 2019.
Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) global strategy for asthma management and prevention. GINA 2018. Last reviewed September 2019 by
EBSCO Medical Review Board
Daniel A. Ostrovsky, MD Last Updated: 8/14/2020 |
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