Asthma
What is Asthma? Asthma is a chronic lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways. Asthma causes recurring periods of wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.
Types of Medication for Asthma
There are many types of treatments for asthma but it depends on your age, the type of symptoms, and the type of asthma you have. But, here are some typical treatments for asthma.
Long-term medication
Inhaled corticosteroids ( budesonide, ciclesonide, flunisolide, mometasone, fluticasone, and others)
These medications can take up to several weeks to see results.
Leukotriene modifiers (zafirlukas, montelukast, and zileuton)
These medication can help relieve asthma symptoms up to 24 hours.
Long-acting beta agonists (formoterol, and salmeterol)
Combination inhalers (budesonide-formoterol, fluticasone-salmeterol, and mometasone-formoterol)
Theophylline
This medication keeps the airways open. This pill is taken daily.
Quick Relief medications
Short-acting beta agonists ( albuterol, levalbuterol, and pirbuterol)
These medications help ease asthma symptoms within minutes.
Ipratropium
This medication makes it easier to breath when someone is experiencing shortness of breath.
Oral and intravenous corticosteroids
These medications help relieve inflammation from the airways.
Long-term medication
Inhaled corticosteroids ( budesonide, ciclesonide, flunisolide, mometasone, fluticasone, and others)
These medications can take up to several weeks to see results.
Leukotriene modifiers (zafirlukas, montelukast, and zileuton)
These medication can help relieve asthma symptoms up to 24 hours.
Long-acting beta agonists (formoterol, and salmeterol)
Combination inhalers (budesonide-formoterol, fluticasone-salmeterol, and mometasone-formoterol)
Theophylline
This medication keeps the airways open. This pill is taken daily.
Quick Relief medications
Short-acting beta agonists ( albuterol, levalbuterol, and pirbuterol)
These medications help ease asthma symptoms within minutes.
Ipratropium
This medication makes it easier to breath when someone is experiencing shortness of breath.
Oral and intravenous corticosteroids
These medications help relieve inflammation from the airways.
Side Effects from Medications
Like any other medications, there are some side effects in asthma medications.
Side Effects
Inhaled corticosteroids- easy bruising, decreased bone density, sore mouth, sore throat, delay growth in children, and fungus infection in mouth
Leukotriene modifiers- feeling nervous, flu-like symptoms, stomachache, nasal congestion, and vomiting
Long-acting beta agonists- nervousness, anxiety, muscle tremors, and increased heartbeat
Combination inhalers- may increase the risk of having severe asthma attacks, rapid heart beat, tremor, and throat irritation
Theophylline- headaches, vomiting, nausea, and insomnia
Short-acting beta agonists- fast heartbeat, nervousness, and shakiness
Ipratropium- wheezing, eye pain, blurred vision, headaches, upset stomach, and flu symptoms
Oral and intravenous corticosteroids- decrease the growth in children, infection, cataracts, and glaucoma
Side Effects
Inhaled corticosteroids- easy bruising, decreased bone density, sore mouth, sore throat, delay growth in children, and fungus infection in mouth
Leukotriene modifiers- feeling nervous, flu-like symptoms, stomachache, nasal congestion, and vomiting
Long-acting beta agonists- nervousness, anxiety, muscle tremors, and increased heartbeat
Combination inhalers- may increase the risk of having severe asthma attacks, rapid heart beat, tremor, and throat irritation
Theophylline- headaches, vomiting, nausea, and insomnia
Short-acting beta agonists- fast heartbeat, nervousness, and shakiness
Ipratropium- wheezing, eye pain, blurred vision, headaches, upset stomach, and flu symptoms
Oral and intravenous corticosteroids- decrease the growth in children, infection, cataracts, and glaucoma