COMMON ASTHMA MEDICATIONS

Medication Name (s) What The Medication Does Possible Side Effects
Short Acting Bronchodilators (Inhaled): Works quickly to open airways to Throat Irritation or Hoarseness
QUICK Ventolin, Proventil (Albuterol) make it easier to breathe. Fast Heartbeat
RELIEF Xopenex (Levalbuterol) Relaxes muscles that tighten around Headache and Dizziness
MEDICINE Brethaire (Terbutaline) the airways. Nausea, Vomiting and Diarrhea
Alupent, Metaprel (Metaproterenol) Helps stop asthma attacks once they Feeling Anxious
Tornalate (Bitolterol) have started. Hives or Skin Rash
Use to stop an Maxair (Pirbuterol) Helps prevent asthma attacks if taken Nervousness or Shaking
asthma attack Combivent (Ipratropium & Albuterol) before exercise.
Not to be used alone for quick relief:
Atrovent (Ipratropium)

Long Acting Bronchodilators (Inhaled): Helps keep asthma under control and Throat Irritation or Hoarseness
Serevent (Salmeterol) reduce chances of having an asthma Fast Heartbeat
Floradil (Formoterol) attack. Headache and Dizziness
LONG- Advair (Fluticasone Proionate & Salmeterol) Works slower and longer than short Nausea, Vomiting and Diarrhea
TERM Symbicort (Budesonide & Formoterol) acting bronchodilators. Feeling Anxious
CONTROL Relaxes breathing airways. Over activity in children
(Swallowed): Help prevent nighttime asthma attacks. Nervousness or Irritability
MEDICINE Theo-Dur, Slo-Bid, Uni-Dur Helps prevent asthma attacks caused by Difficulty sleeping
(Theophylline) exercise. Seizures (Theophylline)
Take every Increases blood flow to the lungs.
day Decreases airway swelling.

Anti-Inflammatories; Decreases swelling in the airways. Dry mouth, Sore Throat or

Corticosteroids (Inhaled): Protects airways from irritants and Hoarseness
(Not to be Beclovent, Vanceril, Qvar (Beclomethasone) allergens. Cough
used to stop Pulmicort (Budesonide) Helps prevent nighttime asthma Fungal infection in the mouth (white
Flovent (Fluticasone) attacks. tongue)
an asthma Azmacort (Triamcinolone) Rinse mouth after every use of the Temporary delayed growth in
attack) Corticosteroids (Swallowed): Prednisone inhaled Corticosteroid. children. (Prednisone)

Other Anti-Inflammatories (Inhaled): Helps prevent asthma attacks caused by Skin rash
Intal (Cromolyn) exercise.
Tilade (Nedocromil)
Leukotriene Modifiers (Swallowed):
Singular (Montelukast Sodium) Blocks asthma symptoms to some Headache and Dizziness
Accolate (Zafirlukast) triggers. Nausea, Vomiting and Diarrhea
Zyflo (Zileuton) Improves lung function.