Asthma Treatment Chicago

Rescue Inhalers (Short-Acting Broncho-Dilators)

• Albuterol (Ventolin^®, Proventil^®, Proair^®)
• Levalbuterol (Xopenex^®)
• Pirbuterol (Maxair^®)
  • Rescue inhalers work quickly to relieve asthma symptoms by relaxing the muscle layer of the lungs
  • They also help prevent exercise-induced asthma symptoms when taken 20 minutes before exercise. Because exercise is a common asthma trigger, rescue inhalers should always be readily available before and during physical activity.
  • Only temporarily relieves asthma symptoms and will NOT treat the inflammation that caused the asthma attack.
  • It is important to discuss the warning signs of worsening asthma and proper use of a rescue inhaler with your doctor.
  • Alubterol is most often used in an inhaled form with a device called a metered-dose inhaler (MDI). Albuterol and levalbuterol (Xopenex®) are also available as a solution that can be used with a nebulizer machine.

Long Term Controller Medications

Controller medications

are used when asthma symptoms occur frequently or a person has experienced frequent asthma attacks.

These medications are taken daily and work to reduce the chronic inflammation of the lungs that causes the symptoms of asthma.

Inhaled corticosteroids

• Inhaled corticosteroids are the most effective long-term medications to control asthma symptoms and prevent asthma attacks
• Inhaled corticosteroids do not start working right away and may take 1-2 weeks to notice significant symptom improvement
• It is important not to stop your inhaled steroid even if your symptoms have improved. Stopping the medication can lead to a return of symptoms and increase the risk of an asthma attack.
• Your doctor may adjust the dosage and frequency of the inhaled corticosteroid depending on the severity and frequency of your symptoms.
• Inhaled corticosteroids will greatly reduce but not eliminate the chance of an asthma attack. A short course of oral corticosteroids may be required to gain control of your asthma symptoms.
• Inhaled corticosteroids are different than anabolic steroids (used to build muscle mass) and are safe to take on a daily basis. Your doctor will be able to discuss any concerns you may have about potential medication side effects.

There are many different inhaled steroid medications available and include:

• ADVAIR^®
• AEROBID^®
• ALVESCO^®
• ASMANEX^®
• DULERA^®
• FLOVENT^®
• PULMICORT^®
• SYMBICORT^®
• QVAR^®

Leukotriene modifiers:

• Treats inflammation in the lungs and nasal passage
• Unlike inhaled corticosteroids, leukotriene modifiers come in pill form
• May be used as an alternative to inhaled corticosteroids for mild asthma symptoms (although they are not nearly as effective as inhaled corticosteroids)
• Can be used in combination with inhaled steroids to help relieve chronic asthma symptoms
• Can improve nasal allergy symptoms
• May help prevent asthma symptoms triggered by exercise
• Should not be used to relieve acute asthma symptoms but can be continued during an asthma attack.

Leukotriene modifiers include:

• SINGULAIR^® (Montelukast)
• ACCOLATE^® (Zafirlukast)
• ZYFLO^® (Zileuton)

Xolair^® (Omalizumab)

• Prescribed for patients 12 years of age and older for moderate-severe asthma triggered by year-round allergens
• Helps reduce the number and severity of asthma attacks for people who are still having asthma symptoms despite taking inhaled corticosteroids
• Given as an injection in your doctor’s office

Oral corticosteroids

• Short courses of oral corticosteroids are sometimes needed to reduce the inflammation of a more severe asthma attack and can help prevent a trip to the emergency room or hospitalization.
• Begin working in 4-6 hours.
• Oral corticosteroids are most commonly given in 2-7 day bursts
• Side effects for short-term use are usually limited to a few, if any, side effects which can include: fluid retention, moodiness, increased appetite, and upset stomach. If you are experiencing side effects that may be related to oral corticosteroids, please notify your doctor.

Examples of oral corticosteroids include:

• Prednisone
• Methyl-prednisolone (Medrol Dose-Pak)^®
• Prednisolone
• ORAPRED^®1, PEDIAPRED^® , PRELONE^®

¹ Available in liquid form or as an orally disintegrating tablet (ODT)