Asthma medications: Know your options - MayoClinic.com

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Asthma medications: Know youroptions

Asthma medications have different purposes. Findout what they are and what they do.

By Mayo Clinic staff

Asthma medications play an important role in managing signs andsymptoms, such as coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. Your age,your symptoms, the severity of your asthma and medication side effects allplay a role in choosing the type and dose of asthma medications you need.

Because your asthma may change over time, work closely with your doctorto help track your symptoms and make adjustments to your asthmamedications if needed.

Types of asthma medications

Category Purpose Medication types

Long-termasthmacontrolmedications

Taken regularly to controlchronic symptoms and preventasthma attacks — the mostimportant type of treatment formost people with asthma

InhaledcorticosteroidsLeukotrienemodifiersLong-acting betaagonists(LABAs)TheophyllineCombinationinhalers thatcontain both acorticosteroidand a LABA

Quick-reliefmedications(rescuemedications)

Taken as needed for rapid,short-term relief of symptoms —used to prevent or treat anasthma attack

Short-actingbeta agonistssuch asalbuterolIpratropium(Atrovent)Oral andintravenouscorticosteroids(for serious

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Asthma medications: Know your options - MayoClinic.com

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Long-term control medications

Many people with asthma need to take long-term control medications on adaily basis. You take these medications even when you don't havesymptoms. There are several types of long-term control medications,including the following.

Inhaled corticosteroidsThese anti-inflammatory drugs are the most effective and commonly usedlong-term control medications for asthma. They reduce swelling andtightening in your airways. You may need to use these medications forseveral days to weeks before they reach their maximum benefit. Inhaledcorticosteroids include:

Fluticasone (Flovent Diskus)

Budesonide (Pulmicort)

Mometasone (Asmanex Twisthaler)

Beclomethasone (Qvar)

Ciclesonide (Alvesco)

In children, long-term use of inhaled corticosteroids may slightly delaygrowth, but the benefits of using these medications to maintain goodasthma control generally outweigh their risks. Regular use of inhaledcorticosteroids helps keep asthma attacks and other problems linked topoorly controlled asthma in check.

Corticosteroids don't generally cause serious side effects. When they dooccur, side effects can include mouth and throat irritation and oral yeastinfections. If you're using a metered dose inhaler, use a spacer and rinseyour mouth with water after each use to reduce the amount of drug thatcan be swallowed and absorbed into your body.

Leukotriene modifiersThese medications block the effects of leukotrienes, immune systemchemicals that cause asthma symptoms. Leukotriene modifiers can helpprevent symptoms for up to 24 hours. Examples include:

Montelukast (Singulair)

Zafirlukast (Accolate)

Zileuton (Zyflo)

In rare cases, montelukast has been linked to psychological reactions, suchas agitation, aggression, hallucinations, depression and suicidal thinking.See your doctor right away if you have any unusual reaction.

Long-acting beta agonists (LABAs)These bronchodilator (brong-koh-DIE-lay-tur) medications open upnarrowed airways and reduce swelling. Their effects last at least 12 hours,and they're used to control moderate to severe asthma and to preventnighttime symptoms. LABAs are used on a regular schedule along withinhaled corticosteroids. Although they're effective, they've been linked tosevere asthma attacks. For this reason, LABAs are taken only incombination with an inhaled corticosteroid. Examples of LABAs include:

asthma attacks)

Medicationsfor allergy-inducedasthma

Taken regularly or as needed toreduce your body's sensitivity toa particular allergy-causingsubstance (allergen)

Allergy shots(immunotherapy)Omalizumab(Xolair)

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Asthma medications: Knowyour options

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see all in Treatments anddrugs

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Salmeterol (Serevent)

Formoterol (Foradil, Perforomist)

TheophyllineYou take this bronchodilator in pill form every day to treat mild asthma.Theophylline (Theo-24, Elixophyllin, others) relaxes the airways anddecreases the lungs' response to irritants. It can be helpful for nighttimeasthma symptoms. If you're taking theophylline, you may need regularblood tests to make sure you're getting the correct dose. Potential sideeffects of theophylline include insomnia and gastroesophageal reflux.

Combination inhalers: Corticosteroids and long-acting betaagonistsSome inhaled asthma medication combinations contain both a corticosteroidand a bronchodilator:

Fluticasone and salmeterol (Advair Diskus)

Budesonide and formoterol (Symbicort)

Mometasone and formoterol (Dulera)

As with other LABA medications, these inhalers may increase your risk ofhaving a severe asthma attack and should be used with caution.

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References

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Asthma medications: Know your options - MayoClinic.com

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