Your Asthma Medication Checklist
Friday, March 16, 2012 - 17:10Currently there are eight classes of drugs available to treat asthma:
Trade names |
Generic names |
Preventer drugs and drugs to control persistent asthma symptoms |
|
1.Inhaled corticosteroids -These medications block the production or release of inflammatory chemicals in the body. Few side effects are produced by the inhaled drugs because of their local action in the lung. |
|
- AeroBid; Bronalide |
flunisolide |
- Advair |
fluticasone + salmeterol |
- Azmacort |
triamcinolone |
- Beclovent; Vanceril |
beclomethasone |
- Flovent |
fluticasone |
- Pulmicort |
budesonide |
2. Long-acting beta2-bronchodilators - These cause relaxation of the muscle fibers surrounding the airways, thus opening up the narrowed passageways. These drugs are slowly cleared from the body; therefore, their bronchodilating effects last for a long time (about 12 hours). |
|
- Serevent |
salmeterol |
- Foradil |
formoterol |
3. Theophylline bronchodilators - These cause relaxation of constricted airways by blocking the action of chemicals that cause contraction of muscles surrounding the airways. Oral, slow-release theophylline drugs are commonly used in asthma maintenance therapy. (A fast-acting intravenous form of theophylline is also available for emergency room treatment of severe asthma episodes.) |
|
- Theo-Dur; Theolaire |
theophylline |
4. Oral corticosteroids - These medications block the production or release of inflammatory chemicals in the body. Oral administration of corticosteroids for a prolonged time can produce several undesirable side effects. |
|
- Delta-Cortef |
prednisolone |
- Deltasone |
prednisone |
- Medrol; Solu-Medrol |
methylprednisone |
5. Nonsteroidal antiallergics- These medications block the release or action of inflammatory chemicals in the body, thus reducing the symptoms of |
|
- Intal |
cromolyn |
- Tilade |
nedocromil |
6. Leukotriene modifiers -These block the production or action of inflammatory chemicals called leukotrienes, thus reducing inflammation, relaxing the airways, and reducing |
|
Accolate |
zafirlukast |
Singulair |
montelukast |
Zyflo |
zileuton |
Rescue medication for use during an asthma attack. |
|
7. Short-acting beta2-bronchodilators - These medications cause the muscle fibers surrounding the airways to relax, thus opening up the narrowed passageways. These drugs are rapidly cleared from the body, therefore, their effects last for a relatively short time (about 3 to 4 hours). |
|
Brethaire; Bricanyl |
terbutaline |
Maxair |
pirbuterol |
Tornalate |
bitolterol |
Ventolin; Proventil |
albuterol |
8. Anticholinergic bronchodilators - These medications block the nerve responses that normally cause narrowing of airways. They are commonly used in combination with a beta2-bronchodilator such asalbuterol |
|
Atrovent |
ipratropium |