Asthma - quick-relief drugs
Asthma quick-relief drugs work fast to control asthma symptoms. You take them when you are coughing, wheezing, having trouble breathing, or having an asthma attack. They are also called "rescue" drugs.
These drugs help relax the muscles of your airways. They are called "bronchodilators."
You and your doctor can make a plan for the quick-relief drugs that work for you. This plan will include when you should take them and how much you should take.
Plan ahead. Make sure you do not run out. Take enough with you when you travel.
Short-acting Beta-agonists
Short-acting beta-agonists are the most common quick-relief drugs for treating asthma attacks.
They also can be used just before exercising to help prevent asthma symptoms that are caused by exercise. They work by relaxing the muscles of your airways, and this lets you breathe better during an attack.
Tell your doctor if you are using quick-relief medicines twice a week or more to control your asthma symptoms. Your asthma may not be under control, and your doctor may need to change your dose of daily control drugs.
These are names of some quick-relief asthma drugs:
- Albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin)
- Metaproterenol (Alupent, Metaprel)
- Pirbuterol (Maxair)
- Terbutaline (Brethine, Brethaire, and Bricanyl)
- Bitolterol (Tornalate)
- Levalbuterol (Xopenex)
Quick-relief asthma drugs may cause these side effects:
- Anxiety
- Tremor (your hand or another part of your body is shaking)
- Restlessness
- Headache
- Fast and irregular heartbeats. Tell your doctor right away if you have this side effect, especially if you have heart problems. You may be at a higher risk for sudden death from heart problems.
Oral Steroids
Your doctor might prescribe oral steroids when you have an asthma attack that is not going away. These are medicines that you take by mouth as pills, capsules, or liquids.
Your doctor will tell you how long you need to take them. Most times, you will take them for 3 to10 days
Three oral steroids are prednisone, prednisolone, and methylprednisolone.
Alternate Names
Short-acting beta-agonists; Bronchodilators; Oral steroids
References
Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma. Rockville, MD. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, US Dept of Health and Human Services; 2007. NIH publications 08-4051.
Lemanske RF Jr, Mauger DT, Sorkness CA, Jackson DJ, Boehmer SJ, Martinez FD, et al. Step-up therapy for children with uncontrolled asthma receiving inhaled corticosteroids. N Engl J Med. 2010 Mar 18;362(11):975-85.
Update Date: 5/16/2012
Updated by: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M. Health Solutions, Ebix, Inc.
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Patient Instructions
- Asthma and school
- Asthma - child - discharge
- Asthma - control drugs
- Asthma - what to ask the doctor - adult
- Asthma - what to ask your doctor - child
- Bronchiolitis - discharge
- Exercise-induced asthma
- Exercising and asthma at school
- How to use a nebulizer
- How to use an inhaler - no spacer
- How to use an inhaler - with spacer
- How to use your peak flow meter
- Make peak flow a habit!
- Signs of an asthma attack
- Stay away from asthma triggers
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