Bookmark This Page Email This Page Print This Page

Treatment for Asthma

Treatment for Asthma

Medication as treatment for asthma:

The two types of asthma medications used to treat asthma include long-term control medication and short-term, quick-relief medication. Though the goal of both medications is to treat asthma symptoms, they are used for different purposes. Long-term control medication is usually taken every day to control asthma symptoms and to prevent the occurrence of asthma attacks. Quick-relief medication is primarily taken to relieve the sudden onset of asthma symptoms (such as during an asthma attack), and in cases in which the asthma symptoms only occur occasionally.

The type of medication prescribed by your physician to treat your asthma symptoms depends on the type and severity of your asthma, as well as your other individual medical needs.

Long-term asthma control medication:

Long-term asthma control medication may include inhaled anti-inflammatory drugs (medications that reduce or prevent the swelling in the airways) and long-acting bronchodilators (medications that open the airways by relaxing muscles around and in the airways that tighten during asthma). The goal of long-term medication is to reduce and prevent swelling in the airways that can trigger asthma attacks. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), long-term control medication may be recommended for people who:

  • experience asthma symptoms three or more times a week.
  • experience asthma symptoms at night three or more times a month.

When a person first starts taking long-term control medication, it may take a few weeks for the medication to become effective. It is very important that long-term control medication is taken every day, even if the person is feeling well, to continue managing the asthma at an optimal level.

Forms of Medication

Whether the asthma control medication is inhaled or ingested as a tablet or liquid depends on the type of medication and purpose. For example, for long-term control of asthma, you may be instructed by your physician to take albuterol as an extended-release tablet. However, when using albuterol for short-term, quick relief medication, you may be instructed by your physician to take a form of an inhaled medication. Consult your physician for more information.

Long-term asthma control medication may include:

  • inhaled corticosteroids - anti-inflammatory medication that prevents swelling of the airways when exposed to asthma triggers. Steroids, which also reduce mucus in the lungs, are sometimes used to prevent and control mild, moderate, and severe asthma.
  • inhaled cromolyn and nedocromil - nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory medications that are often used to treat children with mild asthma. (Both cromolyn and nedocromil cannot stop symptoms during an asthma attack. They only are used to help prevent an asthma attack from occurring.).
  • inhaled long-acting beta2-agonists - mainly used to control moderate-to-severe asthma and to prevent nighttime symptoms, these bronchodilator medications relax muscles around the tightened airways so that the airways reopen. These medications do not reduce swelling, so they are often prescribed along with an anti-inflammatory medication, such as an inhaled steroid.</