409 Central Park Dr.1881 Sylvan Ave., Ste 208

Arlington, Texas76014Dallas, Texas75208

Phone: (817) 261-9191Phone: (972) 884-5606

Fax: (817-784-6880Fax: (972) 884-5607

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

ABOUT MEDICINES FOR ASTHMA

What medicines are used to treat asthma?

LONG TERM CONTROLLER (anti-inflammatory medicines): These products help reduce or reverse the airway swelling (inflammation) which is a chronic problem in asthma. These inhaled medicines must be taken daily as prescribed. They include: Advair, Symbicort, Flovent, Pulmicort, (Flexhaler or Respules), Asmanex, Alvesco, Qvar, Azmacort, and Aerobid. Oral agents include: Singulair, Accolate, and Zyflo Cr. Xolair by injection is taken once or twice a month as directed.

BRONCHODILATORS: These medicines relax the smooth muscles that tighten around the airways in response to different stimuli. When either inhaled or nebulized these bronchodilators rapidly relieve your asthma symptoms. Inhaled forms include: Proventil HFA, Ventolin HFA, ProAir HFA, and Xopenex. Both Xopenex and Albuterol can also be used in a nebulizer.

Your doctor/ healthcare provider may prescribe a course of oral steroids (Prednisone) to treat an acute severe asthmatic attack.

How are asthma medicines prescribed?

Each patient’s asthma is different. Each patient’s airways react to different triggers at different times and with different symptoms. As a result, asthma medicines must be prescribed for each person’s special needs. This involves close work with your doctor/ healthcare provider. It may take some time to find out which medicines work best for you.

What is a medicine plan?

A medicine plan tells you what medicine to take and when to take it. It will help you take medicines the right way.

Long term controllers (anti-inflammatory medicines) to reverse and prevent swelling: If you have symptoms more than once or twice a week, you need these medicines. You need to take this medicine EVERY DAY.
Bronchodilators to relieve symptoms: If you have symptoms only now and then (less than once or twice a week), a bronchodilator may be all you need to control asthma symptoms. If you have an asthma flair, your doctor/healthcare provider may tell you to take more of your bronchodilator medicine. This may be enough to relieve your symptoms. However, a second medicine may be prescribed for serious episodes. Your self-management plan to treat asthma will give you more information on medicines to take during asthma attacks. If exercise is one of your asthma triggers, your doctor/healthcare provider will prescribe an inhaler before exercise. This will keep an attack from starting.