Treatment for Asthma

Medication as treatment for asthma

The two types of asthma medications used to treat asthma include long-term control medication and short-term, quick-relief medication. Though the goal of both medications is to treat asthma symptoms, they are used for different purposes. Long-term control medication is usually taken every day to control asthma symptoms and to prevent the occurrence of asthma attacks. Quick-relief medication is primarily taken to relieve the sudden onset of asthma symptoms (such as during an asthma attack), and in cases in which the asthma symptoms only occur occasionally.

The type of medication prescribed by your doctor to treat your asthma symptoms depends on the type and severity of your asthma, as well as your other individual medical needs.

Long-term asthma control medications

Long-term asthma control medications may include inhaled anti-inflammatory drugs (medications that reduce or prevent the swelling in the airways) and long-acting bronchodilators (medications that open the airways by relaxing muscles around and in the airways that tighten during asthma).

The goal of long-term medications is to reduce and prevent swelling in the airways that can trigger asthma attacks. Long-term control medications may be recommended for people who:

• Experience asthma symptoms three or more times a week.

• Experience asthma symptoms at night three or more times a month.

When a person first starts taking long-term control medications, it may take a few weeks for the medications to become effective. It is very important that long-term control medication is taken every day, even if the person is feeling well, to continue managing the asthma at an optimal level.

Long-term asthma control medication may include:

• Inhaled corticosteroids--anti-inflammatory medication that prevents swelling of the airways when exposed to asthma triggers. Steroids, which also reduce mucus in the lungs, are sometimes used to prevent and control mild, moderate, and severe asthma.

• Inhaled cromolyn and nedocromil--nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory medications that are often used to treat children with mild asthma. Both cromolyn and nedocromil cannot stop symptoms during an asthma attack. They only are used to help prevent an asthma attack from occurring.

• Inhaled long-acting beta 2-agonists--mainly used to control moderate-to-severe asthma and to prevent nighttime symptoms, these bronchodilator medications relax muscles around the tightened airways so that the airways reopen. These medications do not reduce swelling, so they are often prescribed along with an anti-inflammatory medication, such as an inhaled steroid.

• Sustained-release theophylline or sustained-release beta 2-agonist tablets--bronchodilators used to prevent nighttime symptoms. Theophylline needs to build up in the blood stream over time to be effective in treating asthma.

• Leukotriene modifiers--these medications block the action of chemicals called leukotrienes, which occur in white blood cells and may cause inflammation and narrowing of the airways. Leukotriene modifiers cannot stop symptoms during an asthma attack. They only are used to prevent an asthma attack from occurring. Leukotriene modifiers seem to be more effective in people with aspirin-sensitive asthma (a type of asthma triggered by an allergic reaction to aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications).

• Anti-IgE (omalizumab)--these medications are most useful for patients with moderate to severe persistent allergic asthma. They reduce allergic reactions by causing free IgE to disappear from the body and preventing it from attaching to allergens.

Examples of long-term asthma control medication:

Omalizumab (Xolair) is a long-term asthma control medicine that works by binding to one of the antibodies that trigger allergic asthma attacks. It is an injection administered twice monthly to patients age 12 and older. Because of the potential for a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to this medication, it should be given only at a doctor's office experienced with omalizumab.

Long-term asthma control medication may affect individuals differently. Your doctor will prescribe the appropriate asthma control medication based on your individual needs.

Quick-relief asthma medication

Quick-relief asthma medication quickly relaxes the muscles in and around the airways that tighten during an asthma attack. The sooner a person takes quick-relief medication at the onset of asthma symptoms, the faster the asthma will be back under control. Although quick-relief medications may relieve symptoms, the relief may only last about four hours. It is important to note that quick-relief asthma medications do not keep symptoms from recurring. Only long-term asthma control medications can help prevent the recurrence of symptoms. Some people with severe or frequent asthma may use both types of medications to control their asthma (as advised by their doctors)--the long-term asthma control medication to keep the inflammation controlled and the quick-relief medication in the event of an asthma attack.

When using more and more of the quick-relief asthma medications to obtain relief, the asthma may become uncontrolled and an adjustment of the long-term asthma control medication may be necessary. Always consult your doctor.

Quick-relief medications may include:

• Inhaled short-acting beta 2-agonists--short-acting beta 2-agonists are bronchodilator medications to help relax muscles in and around the tightened airways so that the airways reopen.

• Inhaled anticholinergics--medications that block a chemical called acetylcholine. Acetylcholine can stimulate muscle contractions, increase mouth and lung secretions, and slow the heartbeat, resulting in an asthma attack.

Examples of quick-relief asthma medication:

Your doctor may also prescribe short course of oral corticosteroids (in tablet or liquid form) during periods of flare-ups with your asthma. Oral corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory medications that may prevent swelling of the airways and reduce mucus in the lungs. Oral corticosteroids do not give immediate relief, but are often used together with your quick-relief inhaled medications to provide better asthma control.

Short-term, quick-relief asthma medication may affect individuals differently. Your doctor will prescribe the appropriate asthma control medication based on your individual needs.

Inhalation devices for asthma

Several types of inhalation devices, or inhalers, are used in the treatment of asthma or other chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, such as emphysema. Inhalers are often effective in delivering medication directly to the lungs, with fewer side effects than medications taken by mouth or injection. There are several types of inhalers. The type of inhaler will vary, depending on your medical history, preference, and the severity and frequency of your symptoms. Inhalers can contain anti-inflammatory medications or bronchodilator medications. The most common types of inhalers including the following:

• Metered-dose inhaler (MDI). The most common type of inhaler, the metered-dose inhaler uses a chemical propellant (hydrofluoroalkane or HFA) to carry the medication out of the inhaler.

  A metered-dose inhaler is held in front of or inserted into the mouth as the medication is released in puffs. Consult your doctor for specific instructions on how to properly use a metered-dose inhaler. As of December 31, 2011, MDIs  sold in the United States may no longer use ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) to propel the medication. 

• Nebulizer. A nebulizer is a type of inhaler that sprays a fine, liquid mist of medication. This is done through a mask, using oxygen or air under pressure, or an ultrasonic machine (often used by people who cannot use a metered-dose inhaler, such as infants and young children, and people with severe asthma). A mouthpiece is connected to a machine via plastic tubing to deliver medication to the patient. Consult your doctor for specific instructions on how to properly use a nebulizer.

• Dry powder or rotary inhaler. A breath-activated, non-pressurized dry powder inhaler that may be used for children and adults, this type of inhaler does not use CFCs to propel the medication out of the device. Consult your doctor for specific instructions on how to properly use a dry powder or rotary inhaler.