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- Asthma treatment: Do complementary and alternative approaches work?
- Hypnosis: Another way to manage pain, kick bad habits
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- Allergies
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- Allergies and asthma: They often occur together
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- Asthma in adults: Gain control with a written asthma plan
- Asthma: Use a peak flow meter to gain control
- Asthma-friendly products: Do they help reduce symptoms?
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- Asthma medications: Know your options
- Asthma treatment: 3 steps to better asthma control
- Asthma inhalers: Which one's right for you?
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Asthma medications: Know your options
Medications for asthma triggered by allergies
Other medications focus on treating allergy triggers for asthma and include:
- Anti-IgE monoclonal antibodies. The medication omalizumab (Xolair) is sometimes used to treat severe persistent asthma triggered by airborne allergens. If you have allergies, your immune system produces allergy-causing IgE antibodies to attack substances that generally cause no harm, such as pollen, dust mites and pet dander. Xolair blocks the action of these antibodies, reducing your immune reaction — and asthma symptoms. Xolair is delivered by injection every two to four weeks. It isn't generally recommended for children under 12.
- Immunotherapy. Allergy-desensitization shots (immunotherapy) may help if you have allergic asthma that can't be easily controlled by avoiding triggers. You'll begin with skin tests to determine which allergens trigger your asthma symptoms, followed by a series of therapeutic injections containing small doses of those allergens. You generally receive injections once a week for a few months, then once a month for a period of three to five years. Over time, you should lose your sensitivity to the allergens.
Medications depend on asthma control: A stepwise approach
Treatment based on asthma severity can help you control your asthma. Then, treatment can be adjusted accordingly. For example, if your asthma is well controlled, you may be able to take less medicine, and your doctor may "step down" the amount of medication you need. On the other hand, if your asthma is uncontrolled or worsening your doctor may "step up" your treatment with an increase in medication.
Asthma medications: Safety issues and side effects
Many asthma medications cause minor side effects, which vary from medication to medication and from person to person. Be sure to keep track of medicine side effects and report them to your doctor. Often, bothersome side effects can be reduced or eliminated by a change in dose or medication. Be sure to talk to your doctor about any physical or mental health problems you have, as some conditions can increase your risk of serious side effects. Also tell your doctor about every medication you take, including herbal remedies or supplements. Most medications for asthma generally don't cause serious side effects, but some may. These include:
- Oral corticosteroids. These medications are only used for severe asthma, and are generally only used for a period of days right after a severe asthma attack. Some people with the most severe asthma need to take oral corticosteroids every day in order to control the asthma. Long-term use of these medications can cause serious side effects, including cataracts, loss of bone mineral (osteoporosis), muscle weakness, decreased resistance to infection, high blood pressure, and thinning of the skin and impaired growth in children.
- Inhaled corticosteroids. Unlike oral corticosteroids, long-term use of inhaled corticosteroids is generally considered free of serious side effects. In children, long-term use of inhaled corticosteroids may slow growth slightly, but the benefits of using inhaled corticosteroids to maintain good asthma control generally outweigh the risks. Regular use of inhaled corticosteroids may help prevent damage to the lungs, asthma attacks and other problems linked to poorly controlled asthma.
- Long-acting beta-2 agonists (LABAs). One study of salmeterol (Serevent) showed that people taking the medication were at a higher risk of life-threatening asthma attacks than were people taking a placebo. It isn't clear if this is directly caused by use of LABAs, or due to the fact that some study participants didn't also use inhaled corticosteroids to maintain long-term asthma control. The FDA issued a warning that people who take these medications should get their asthma under control with inhaled corticosteroids first, and then add LABAs if needed, or make sure that they really need LABAs in order to control asthma. LABAs should not be used without using an inhaled corticosteroid at the same time.
- Anti-IgE monoclonal antibodies, such as omalizumab (Xolair). About 1 percent of injections of this medication for allergy-induced asthma can trigger a life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). The FDA issued a warning that anyone who takes omalizumab should be monitored closely by trained health professionals after getting an omalizumab injection in case of a severe reaction.
Preventing asthma attacks
The best way to prevent asthma attacks is to identify and avoid your triggers and closely watch your symptoms. Good asthma control also takes ongoing communication and teamwork with your doctor. But by working together, you and your doctor can design a step-by-step plan for living with your condition. The following steps will help you manage your asthma:
- Use a written plan. With your doctor and health care team, write a detailed plan for taking maintenance medications and managing an acute attack. Then be sure to follow your plan. Asthma is an ongoing condition that needs regular monitoring and treatment. Taking control of your treatment can make you feel more in control of your life in general.
- Monitor your breathing. Like many people, you may recognize your own signs of an impending attack, such as slight coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath. But because your lung function may decrease before you notice any signs or symptoms, regularly measure your peak airflow with a home peak flow meter.
- Treat attacks early. If you act quickly, you're less likely to have a severe attack. You also won't need as much medication to control your symptoms. When your peak flow measurements decrease and alert you to an impending attack, take your medication as instructed and immediately stop any activity that may have triggered the attack. If your symptoms don't improve, get medical help as directed in your action plan.
- Get an annual flu vaccination. If your doctor recommends it, get a yearly flu shot or nasal flu spray (FluMist). The flu can worsen asthma symptoms, and people with asthma are at higher risk of other health problems caused by the flu.
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