There are a lot of Americans living with allergic asthma. However, the use of allergy asthma medicine can help you live a normal and healthy life. Here are some medications that can help treat and control allergic asthma.
Allergy Asthma Medicine
Rescue Inhalers (Short-Acting Bronchodilators)
Usually your doctor will first prescribe this medicine in case of an asthma attack. Short-acting bronchodilator is a must for anyone with asthma. It is also called a rescue inhaler due to its small size and ease to be carried and puffed whenever attacks occur. Its effects last for 4-6 hours.
They work by dilating or expanding the lower respiratory tract. Examples of this medication include pirbuterol (Maxair), levalbuterol (Xopenex), and albuterol.
Inhaled Corticosteroids
Your doctor can prescribe a daily dose of inhaled steroids. This occurs if your doctor observes too much use of your rescue inhaler, which indicates that your asthma isn’t well-controlled. These inhaled steroids prevent inflammation in the respiratory tract.
They help control your asthma for a longer period of time, hence the name ‘controller’ medication. They reduce the use of rescue inhalers and reduce the effects of any future attacks.
Long-Acting Bronchodilators
Long-acting bronchodilators work by helping relax the airways, thus more air is allowed to pass. These are also classified as controller medication but do not work directly on the inflammation. This allergy asthma medicine works more like rescue inhalers.
However, this choice of medication has longer lasting effects, normally lasting for 12 hours. They are used twice a day and are prescribed with inhaled steroids. They should never be used alone in controlling asthma. It is important to note that there may be several side effects, including headache, anxiety, tremor, and increased heart rate.
Anti-Leukotriene Drugs
Many patients, even those on effective anti-asthmatic drugs, experience residual impairment in the functioning of the lungs. This is caused by the availability of indigenous leukotrienes in the lungs.
Anti-leukotrienes are usually in the form of medical pills that help control asthma in the long-term. It helps alleviate airway inflammation by preventing molecular effects of leukotriene. Examples of anti-leukotriene drugs include Montelukast (Singulair), Zyflo, and Zafirlukast.
Oral Corticosteroids
Normally, the effects of oral corticosteroids are naturally released by the body, but manufactured oral medication are available to help. Oral corticosteroids have very strong anti-inflammatory effects. Options like cortisone, hydrocortisone, and are very effective in treating conditions like rashes, asthma, and lupus.
An example of this allergy asthma medicine is the pill, normally used by patients whose asthma cannot be effectively controlled by the use of rescue inhalers in the case of a severe attack. It reduces the symptoms by preventing inflammation in the lung’s airway.
Featured Image: depositphotos/garagestock