Asthma Medications

Asthma medication plays a key role in gaining good control of your asthma. Asthma is a chronic (lifelong) disease that involves inflammation of the airways superimposed with recurrent episodes of decreased airflow, mucus production, and cough. Choosing the proper asthma medication is crucial in avoiding asthma attacks and living an active life.

Treatment with asthma medication focuses on:

• Taking asthma medication that controls inflammation and prevents chronic symptoms such as coughing or breathlessness at night, in the early morning, or after exertion (long-term control medications)
• Providing asthma medication to treat asthma attacks when they occur (quick-relief asthma medication)
• Avoiding asthma triggers
• Monitoring daily asthma symptoms in an asthma diary
• Monitoring peak flows with daily asthma tests

There are two general types of asthma medication which can give you long-term control or quick relief of symptoms.

• Anti-inflammatory drugs. This is the most important type of therapy for most people with asthma because these asthma medications prevent asthma attacks on an ongoing basis. Steroids, also called "corticosteroids," are an important type of anti-inflammatory medication for people suffering from asthma. These asthma medications reduce swelling and mucus production in the airways. As a result, airways are less sensitive and less likely to react to triggers.
• Bronchodilators. These asthma medications relieve the symptoms of asthma by relaxing the muscle bands that tighten around the airways. This action rapidly opens the airways, letting more air come in and out of the lungs. As a result, breathing improves. Bronchodilators also help clear mucus from the lungs. As the airways open, the mucus moves more freely and can be coughed out more easily.

These asthma medications can be administered in different ways. Successful treatment should allow you to live an active and normal life. If your asthma symptoms are not in good control, you should contact your doctor for advice and look at a different asthma medication that may work best for you. 

NOTE: A newer asthma medication, called Xolair, works by inhibiting the allergic reaction that often causes constriction of the airways. It works by blocking proteins in the immune system from becoming activated, an underlying cause of allergic asthma symptoms.