There are three main groups of asthma medications:
- Relievers
- Preventers
- Symptom controllers
- Combination Medication
Relievers
Inhaled medications
Medication(s) Name: Airomir, Asmol, Bricanyl, Ventolin (blue color).
Relievers are inhaled and they provide relief from asthma symptoms within minutes and for up to four hours.
Important Points
- Always carry your blue reliever medication in case you need to use it, particularly for an asthma emergency.
- If you are using your reliever medication more than three times per week it may be your asthma is not well controlled. In this case, check with your doctor on changing you asthma management plan.
Use and side effects
- Use when you have asthma symptoms (cough, shortness of breath, chest tightness or wheeze)
- Keep the airways open for up to four hours
- May also be used before activity to prevent exercise-induced asthma (check with your doctor which medication will best suit your asthma)
- Used for Asthma First Aid treatment.
- •Side effects may include the shakes and a rapid heartbeat, both of which will pass quickly. Other side effects include headache and restlessness in children
Medication(s) Name: Atrovent (green color)
This medication takes up to 30 minutes to work. It can keep the airways open for up to six to eight hours and is used for other lung conditions.
Preventers
Inhaled medications - Alvesco (rust), Flixotide (orange),Intal Forte (white), Pulmicort, Qvar (brown), Tilade (yellow)
Oral medications -Singulair
Preventers make the airways less sensitive, reduce the redness and swelling inside the airways and dry up the mucus. It may take a few weeks for preventers to reach their full effect.
Preventers must be taken daily to keep you well, reduce the risk of asthma attacks and to prevent lung damage.
| Medication name |
Delivery method |
| Alvesco, Flixotide, Pulmicort, Qvar - corticosteroids |
Inhaled |
Singulair (also known as Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist) - non-steroid
|
Oral |
| Intal Forte, Tilade - non-steroid |
Inhaled |
Important points
- Some people may only need preventers for a set period (eg. seasonal) while other people need to take preventers all year round
- Preventers need to be taken at the same time each day at the dosage prescribed by your doctor
- Preventers take time to work, so an improvement in your symptoms may not be noticed for a couple of weeks.
- Do not stop taking your preventer medication after only a few days
- Preventers are safe to use every day and they can reduce the risk of life threatening asthma attacks
- Most adults can successfully control their asthma on low to moderate doses of corticosteroids
- Possible side effects include oral thrush, voice change and sore mouth or throat. Reduce these problems by using a spacer with your puffer. Always rinse, gargle and spit after taking medication.
- Can be used on their own or in addition to steroid medication
- Possible side effects include headache and stomach upset
Symptom Controllers
Foradile (pale blue), Oxis, Serevent (green) Symptom controllers (also called long acting relievers) help to relax the muscles around the airways for up to 12 hours.
They are taken daily, usually at morning and night, and can only be prescribed for people who are taking regular inhaled corticosteroid preventers and are still experiencing asthma symptoms.
These medications are inhaled and may actually make asthma worse if they are used without corticosteroids. They should never be used without preventer therapy.
Uses and Side Effects
- Symptom controllers may be prescribed for people who experience:
- Symptoms despite treatment with regular inhaled corticosteroids
- Night-time symptoms
- Exercise-induced asthma
- Possible side effects include the shakes, a rapid heartbeat and headaches.
Combination Medications
Seretide (Flixotide and Serevent - purple), Symbicort (Pulmicort and Oxis - red)
Combination medications combine a preventer with a symptom controller in the same delivery device.
Combination medications need to be taken at the same time each day at the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
- Some people have Symbicort .The SMART (Symbicort Maintenance And Reliever Therapy) Protocol as both their reliever and preventer.
- Seretide cannot be used as reliever medication or for asthma emergencies.
| Medication name |
Delivery method |
Use and side effects |
Seretide
(Flixotide and Serevent)
|
Inhaled |
Side effects are the same as listed for symptom controller and preventer Symbicort |
Symbicort.
(Pulmicort and Oxis) |
Inhaled |
Side effects are the same as listed for symptom controller and preventer Symbicort |
Treatment of acute asthma
When there is little response to relievers, a short course of oral steroids in liquid or tablet form (Prednisolone/Prednisone).
This is used to control of asthma in an acute attack or when symptoms persist.
Getting the most out of your asthma medications
It is important to:
- have your technique regularly checked
- use a spacer with a puffer to minimize side effects and deliver more medication to your lungs.
- check that there is medication left in your inhaler (some inhalers have a counter)
- check that your medication has not expired
- know how to care for and clean your medication devices
- when you are well (no asthma symptoms and rarely using your blue reliever), talk to your doctor about a review of your medications
How are asthma medications taken?
Asthma medications can be inhaled (breathed in) or taken orally (swallowed).
Most people use inhaled asthma medication because:
- medication goes directly to the lungs
- smaller doses can be given so there are fewer side effects
Inhalers need to be used correctly to ensure maximum benefits are achieved.
