In the previous years, a large variety of asthma treatments has been released adding to the confusion of parents on which needs to be used in different situations.
There are basically two types of medications. What are these?
Controller Asthma Medicines
These is also called preventive treatment for asthma which can be given to your child daily to aid in keeping symptoms at bay as well as asthma attacks.
What are these controller asthma medicines?
• Inhaled steroids like Asmanex, Aerobid, Flovent HFA, Azmacort etc.
• Leukotriene receptor antagonists
• Advair which is a mixture of beta2 agonist and steroids
• Long acting beta2 agonists
• Theophylline
• Children with allergic athma receive Xolair injections
• Other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory controller medications
Asthma attacks can't be stopped or cured by controller asthma medicines. Pediatricians may recommend increasing dosage of this medication when your child is having an attack however it is merely to get quick relief.
Quick Relief Asthma Medicines
This treatment for asthma helps when your child's asthma symptoms occur like wheezing, coughing and trouble breathing. This are also called rescue medicines.
What are examples of rescue medicines?
• Atrovent
• Terbutaline
• Xopenex HFA, Levaluterol - Xopenex Soln
• Pirbuterol - Maxair Autohaler
• Albuterol, Proventil, Ventolin, Albuterol - Accuneb
• Oral steroids like prednisolone and prednisone (syrup form is given to children who can't swallow pills yet)
Having an asthma action plan helps you understand which medication is best for your child. If you don't have an asthma action plan yet, consult your doctor or go to a pediatric pulmonologist for further asthma education and management.
