Medications for Asthma

Asthma Inhaler for a Child

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Common names are:

• Albuterol
• Levalbuterol
• Pirbuterol

These drugs help to open the airways. This can provide quick relief. They can also be used before exercise.

Some problems are:

• Fast heartbeat
• Headache
• Nervousness
• Tremor

Ipratropium opens the airways and may ease mucus. It is 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:

• Cough
• Dry mouth

Common names are:

• Methylprednisolone
• Prednisolone
• Prednisone

These drugs help ease inflammation. They also prevent symptoms from getting worse. They can cause side effects when taken by mouth instead of being inhaled. Long-term use is not advised.

Some problems are:

• Belly discomfort, nausea, and possibly bleeding in the stomach
• Lowered resistance to infections
• Growth suppression (in children)
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Osteoporosis (thinning of the bones)
• Cataracts
• Adrenal suppression
• Muscle weakness

Magnesium sulfate may help treat adults with acute asthma.

Common names are:

• Beclomethasone
• Budesonide
• Flunisolide
• Fluticasone
• Mometasone

These drugs reduce, control, and reverse inflammation. They may reduce the need to use corticosteroid pills and rescue medicine as often.

Some problems are:

• Oral thrush
• Cough

Common names are:

• Cromolyn sodium
• Nedocromil

These drugs may be used to prevent symptoms over the long term. They ease inflammation. They can also be used before exercise.

Some people may have problems with cough when using these.

Common names are:

• Salmeterol
• Formoterol

These drugs may be used to prevent symptoms over the long term. They are helpful at night. They are often used with other medicines, such as inhalers. They can also be used before exercise or exposure to an allergen. They should not be used during a sudden attack.

Some problems are:

• Fast heartbeat
• Tremor
• Problems sleeping
• Nervousness

Long-acting inhalers, like salmeterol can have serious risks. This often happens when they are taken in error and used as rescue inhalers. These drugs are almost always given with an inhaled corticosteroid.

Common names include theophylline.

These drugs may be used to prevent symptoms over the long term. They are helpful at night. They open airways and relax muscles around bronchial tubes. They make it easier to clear mucus out of the airway. These are not as often as other drugs. Drug levels need to be closely watched.

Some problems are:

• Headache
• Fast heartbeat
• Problems urinating (peeing)
• Nervousness
• Problems sleeping
• Upset stomach

• Zafirlukast
• Montelukast
• Zileuton

Leukotriene modifiers ease inflammation. These medicines are not used to ease sudden symptoms. They can be used to prevent symptoms.

Some problems are:

• Flu-like symptoms
• Nervousness
• Headache
• Belly pain
• Cough

Leukotriene blockers also ease inflammation. They are used for long-term control and prevention in mild asthma.

Some problems are:

• High liver enzymes
• Can cause problems when taken with other drugs

Omalizumab is a common name for this drug.

This drug is given by injection. It provides long-term control and prevention of symptoms in mild asthma.

Some problems may be:

• Pain and bruising at the injection site
• Severe allergic reaction in some people