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Asthma in Children - Medications

Medicine does not cure asthma. But it is an important part of managing the condition. Medicines for asthma treatment are used to:

Prevent and control the airway inflammation to minimize long-term lung damage.
Decrease the severity, frequency, and duration of asthma attacks.
Treat the attacks as they occur.

Asthma medicines are divided into two groups: those for prevention and long-term control of inflammation and those that provide quick relief for asthma attacks. Most children with persistent asthma need to use long-term medicines daily. Quick-relief medicines are used as needed and provide rapid relief of symptoms during asthma attacks.

Medicine delivery

Most medicines for asthma are inhaled, because a specific dose of the medicine can be given directly to the bronchial tubes. Delivery systems include metered-dose and dry powder inhalers and nebulizers. A metered-dose inhaler is used most often.

Many doctors recommend that every child who uses a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) also use a spacer , which is attached to the MDI. A spacer may deliver the medicine to your child's lungs better than an inhaler alone. And for many people a spacer is easier to use than an MDI alone. Using a spacer with inhaled corticosteroids can help reduce their side effects and the need for oral corticosteroids.

For more information on using an inhaler, see:

Asthma: Using a Metered-Dose Inhaler.

Asthma in Children: Helping a Child Use a Metered-Dose Inhaler and Mask Spacer.

Asthma: Using a Dry Powder Inhaler.

Medication choices

The most important asthma medicines are:

Inhaled corticosteroids. These are the preferred medicines for long-term treatment of asthma. They reduce inflammation of your child's airways and are taken every day to keep asthma under control and to prevent sudden and severe symptoms (asthma attacks). Inhaled corticosteroids include beclomethasone, triamcinolone, fluticasone, budesonide, and flunisolide.
Oral or injected corticosteroids (systemic corticosteroids) to get your child's asthma under control before he or she starts taking daily medicine. Your child may also need these medicines to treat asthma attacks. Oral corticosteroids include prednisone and dexamethasone.
Short-acting beta2-agonists (quick-relief medicines) for asthma attacks. They relax the airways, allowing your child to breathe easier. These medicines include albuterol and pirbuterol.

Long-term medicines sometimes used alone or with other medicines for daily treatment include:

Leukotriene pathway modifiers (such as zafirlukast, zileuton, or montelukast).
Long-acting beta2-agonists (such as salmeterol and formoterol). They are always used with an inhaled corticosteroid.
Less commonly, your doctor may recommend a mast cell stabilizer (such as cromolyn) or theophylline.

Other medicines may be given in some cases.

Anticholinergics (such as ipratropium) are usually used for severe asthma attacks.
Other medicine such as omalizumab or magnesium sulfate may be used if asthma does not improve with treatment.

Medicine treatment for asthma depends on your child’s age, his or her type of asthma, and how well the treatment is controlling asthma symptoms.

Children up to age 4 are usually treated a little differently than those 5 to 11 years old.
The least amount of medicine that controls your child’s symptoms is used.
The amount of medicine and number of medicines are increased in steps. So if your child’s asthma is not controlled at a low dose of one controller medicine, the dose may be increased. Or another medicine may be added.
If your child’s asthma has been under control for several months at a certain dose of medicine, the dose may be reduced. This can help find the least amount of medicine that will control your child’s asthma.
Quick-relief medicine is used to treat asthma attacks. But if your child needs to use quick-relief medicine a lot, the amount and number of controller medicines may be changed.

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WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: 7/, 011

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.