Asthma Prevention Medications
The most common asthma prevention medications are called corticosteroids (e.g., beclomethasone, budesonide, ciclesonide, or fluticasone), which are inhaled through a “puffer” or inhaler. They are designed to decrease the swelling or inflammation in your airways. It usually takes a week or two for these medications to get the swelling and inflammation under control. They don’t provide fast relief of asthma symptoms, but they will prevent future symptoms. They control inflammation, which is the underlying cause of asthma.
If corticosteroids do not control your asthma symptoms, your doctor may suggest that you use a long-acting bronchodilator (e.g., salmeterol, formoterol) along with your corticosteroid. Your doctor may also suggest that you use a combination inhaler that contains both a corticosteroid and a long-acting bronchodilator.
For some people, leukotriene receptor antagonists (e.g., montelukast, zafirlukast) may be used to help control asthma. These medications work by blocking a chemical from causing inflammation in the airways. If your asthma is caused by allergies and your asthma symptoms have not been controlled with corticosteroids, your doctor may suggest an injectable medication called omalizumab or allergy shots.
People with asthma symptoms often need treatment that provides immediate relief. Bronchodilators (e.g., salbutamol, formoterol, or terbutaline) work quickly to relax the muscles around the airways and allow you to breathe more easily. These are reliever medications that treat the symptoms but not the underlying cause. If you are using relievers two days a week or more (not including before exercise), talk to your doctor or health care professional. You may need some changes in your medications.
Asthma itself is difficult to prevent, but a lot can be done to reduce or eliminate your asthma symptoms.
If your doctor has given you a preventive medication to use every day, follow the instructions carefully. If you use it as suggested, it should control the swelling in your airways and reduce your asthma symptoms over the long term.
Using your inhaler
Since asthma medications are often inhaled through a “puffer,” they require extra knowledge and care on your part. Asthma inhalers have to be used properly to get the right amount of medication into your lungs.
Learning how to use inhalers properly can take some practice. Ask your doctor or health care professional to check to see if you are using your inhaler properly. If you are using a metered-dose inhaler (MDI), which is a pressurized inhaler, your doctor may recommend a spacer device that fits on your inhaler to make it easier for you to ensure that more of your medication is reaching your lungs. Spacers also help to reduce some of the side effects of inhaled corticosteroids. Spacer devices are not needed for dry-powdered devices that are not pressurized.
As part of your asthma treatment plan, your doctor may suggest that you use a peak flow meter. A peak flow meter helps you to monitor your lung function and it gives an indication of how well your asthma is controlled. It will also help you monitor how well your medications are working, recognize when you need to adjust your medications as recommended by your doctor or health care professional, and to know when to get emergency medical attention.
Keeping a diary of your asthma symptoms is also an important way to monitor your asthma control.
buy cheap nasonex allergies free prescription pills
FedEx overnight shipping free prescription online pharmacy