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Asthma Medical
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The doctors at Allergy &
Asthma Specialists, Ltd. ask you to remember that these are
generic descriptions of the medications and that your own
doctor's specific instructions should always be followed over
the information provided here.
Asthma Medications
Steroid Pills
Oral steroids are very important for treating severe asthma
exacerbations. Side effects from long-term use include weakening
of the bones, growth suppression, weight gain, cataracts,
and glaucoma. These side effects do not occur during short
courses of therapy, which most patients tolerate very well.
Possible short-term side effects include water retention,
muscle soreness, increased energy or fatigue, and increased
appetite.
Prednisone
Medrol
Prelone
Check with your doctor for proper dosage and instructions.
.
Inhaled Steroids
These medications are . They help to promote
healing, and they restore and preserve lung function, thereby
allowing the asthmatic to pursue a normal life. They have
been demonstrated to dramatically decrease the risk of severe,
life-threatening asthma attacks. These medications prevent
asthma but do not relieve the symptoms of asthma once an attack
has started, so they must be ! It is also very important that you use them
with the appropriate technique.
These are very safe medications. They are designed to stay
in the lungs, so they do not cause the severe, long-term side
effects of taking oral steroids. The most common side effects
are hoarseness and a fungal infection in the mouth called
"thrush." You can avoid these side effects by rinsing
and spitting after using your inhaler and/or by using
a spacing device.
Very high doses of these medications can produce side effects
like those of oral prednisone or prelone, so we will always
work with you to keep you on the lowest dose possible.
Aerobid / Aerobid, M
Azmacort / Azmacort Forte
Flovent Rotadisk 44 / 110 / 220
Flovent Rotadisk 50 / 100 / 250
Pulmicort
Vanceril / Vanceril - DS
Rescue Medications
Fast-acting bronchodilators are used to relieve the symptoms
of an asthma attack. , although
the goal of asthma therapy is to decrease your reliance on
these medications because they do not heal the lungs as the
inhaled corticosteroids do. If you find yourself requiring
these medications more frequently than a few times per week,
you should consult your doctor.
These medications are also effective in preventing exercise-induced
asthma. For this indication, they should be taken 20 minutes
prior to exercise. Side effects from occasional use may include
tremor and occasionally a racing heart and palpitations. The
usual dose is 2 puffs every 4 hours if needed. Albuterol may
also be given as a nebulizer.
Albuterol
Ventolin
Proventil
Proventil-HFA
Maxair
Other Asthma Preventers
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are very
safe medications, with no significant side effects. They protect
the lungs like the inhaled steroids do.
Intal: Check with your doctor for proper dosage and instructions
Tilade: Check with your doctor for proper dosage and instructions
Both come as inhalers, while Intal also comes as a nebulizer
for very young children.
Long-Acting Bronchodilators
The long-acting bronchodilators are very useful when used
with inhaled corticosteroids, and they should not be used
without these medications. They are longer-acting forms of
your "Rescue Medications," (for more information
on these medications, choose the link to the left of this
text) and may cause similar side effects. They are slow to
act, so they .
Serevent: 2 puffs twice per day
Serevent Diskus: 1 puff twice per day
Volmax 4mg / 8mg: 1 tablet twice per day
Theophylline
Theophylline is a very effective asthma medication that has
been used for a long time, but it can be dangerous if taken
incorrectly. , and you need to tell all of your
other doctors that you are taking theophylline because other
medications can raise or lower the theophylline levels in
your blood. You will have to get your blood checked from time
to time to make sure that your levels are within a safe range.
If your levels get too high, you may experience poor appetite,
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rapid heart beat, insomnia, anxiety,
tremors, and sweating. .
Leukotriene
Antagonists
Leukotriene Antagonists are very safe with only a few side
effects. They are very effective in certain types of asthma.
Accolate: 1 tablet twice a day
Singulair 5mg / 10mg: 1 tablet each evening
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