Combination preventer – asthma medication Best medical practice is to give only the smallest doses of medication to keep symptoms under control, but you should never reduce the dose of medication without speaking about it with your doctor. Others may need preventers all year round. Preventers reduce swelling and mucus in the airways and reduce your risk of severe asthma symptoms or flare-ups.ĭepending on the triggers of asthma symptoms, some people may only need preventer medication during a particular season, for example, in spring if you are allergic to pollen. Preventer medication is the key to keeping well with asthma. It is important that preventers are taken every day as prescribed, even if you feel well. Most adults and children can achieve good control of asthma symptoms with a low dose preventer.

Preventer medication is usually taken once or twice daily. The most effective preventers are inhaled corticosteroids. There is a preventer which is also available in tablet form. You should avoid overusing reliever medication and if you notice you need it more than 2 days a week, make an appointment with your doctor to discuss your asthma control. They are only used when you have asthma symptoms or if your doctor recommends using it before exercise. Relievers contain a ‘brochodilator’, which simply means that it opens the airways by relaxing tight airway muscles. If you have asthma, you need to carry reliever medication at all times. Some people with asthma require additional medication to maintain good health, including ‘add-on’ medications and injectable medications for people with asthma which is difficult to control. Asthma Australia’s website provides more detailed information about the different types of asthma medications.

Dual purpose relievers – that are used to treat breakthrough symptoms and work by relaxing airway muscles and providing anti-inflammatory action at the same time.

C ombination preventers – that contain 2 different medications and act to reduce inflammation as well as relax the airway muscles.

Relievers can also be used to prevent exercise-induced asthma when prescribed by a doctor.

This medication is used during an asthma attack. R elievers – that act quickly to relax the tight muscles around the airways and are used when symptoms breakthrough, despite good asthma management.P reventers – that slowly make the airways less sensitive to triggers by reducing swelling and mucus inside the airways.

Types of asthma medicationĪsthma can be well controlled with the appropriate medication in almost all people. Do not alter the use of asthma medication (for you or a child in your care) without speaking to your doctor or unless the asthma action plan tells you what to do in a specific situation. Your doctor will develop an asthma action plan for you or your child. Reliever treatment is used when you experience breakthrough symptoms. The mainstay of asthma management is preventer medication treatment which aims to prevent symptoms, prevent asthma attacks, maintain good lung function and improve quality of life. Your doctor will prescribe the correct medication and help you to develop a plan to control your asthma. Uncontrolled or untreated asthma can make you vulnerable to asthma attacks and can damage your lungs.

Over the counter inhaler