409 Central Park Dr.
Arlington, Texas 76014
Phone: (817) 261-9191
Fax: (817-784-6880
1881 Sylvan Ave., Ste 208
Dallas, Texas 75208
Phone: (972) 884-5606
Fax: (972) 884-5607
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
ABOUT MEDICINES FOR ASTHMA
What medicines are used to treat asthma?
LONG TERM CONTROLLER (anti-inflammatory medicines): These products help reduce or reverse the
airway swelling (inflammation) which is a chronic problem in asthma. These inhaled medicines must be
taken daily as prescribed. They include: Advair, Symbicort, Flovent, Pulmicort, (Flexhaler or Respules),
Asmanex, Alvesco, Qvar, Azmacort, and Aerobid. Oral agents include: Singulair, Accolate, and Zyflo Cr.
Xolair by injection is taken once or twice a month as directed.
BRONCHODILATORS: These medicines relax the smooth muscles that tighten around the airways in
response to different stimuli. When either inhaled or nebulized these bronchodilators rapidly relieve
your asthma symptoms. Inhaled forms include: Proventil HFA, Ventolin HFA, ProAir HFA, and Xopenex.
Both Xopenex and Albuterol can also be used in a nebulizer.
Your doctor/ healthcare provider may prescribe a course of oral steroids (Prednisone) to treat an acute
severe asthmatic attack.
How are asthma medicines prescribed?
Each patient’s asthma is different. Each patient’s airways react to different triggers at different times
and with different symptoms. As a result, asthma medicines must be prescribed for each person’s
special needs. This involves close work with your doctor/ healthcare provider. It may take some time to
find out which medicines work best for you.
What is a medicine plan?
A medicine plan tells you what medicine to take and when to take it. It will help you take medicines
the right way.
1. Long term controllers (anti-inflammatory medicines) to reverse and prevent swelling: If you
have symptoms more than once or twice a week, you need these medicines. You need to take
this medicine EVERY DAY.
2. Bronchodilators to relieve symptoms: If you have symptoms only now and then (less than once
or twice a week), a bronchodilator may be all you need to control asthma symptoms. If you
have an asthma flair, your doctor/healthcare provider may tell you to take more of your
bronchodilator medicine. This may be enough to relieve your symptoms. However, a second
medicine may be prescribed for serious episodes. Your self-management plan to treat asthma
will give you more information on medicines to take during asthma attacks. If exercise is one of
your asthma triggers, your doctor/healthcare provider will prescribe an inhaler before exercise.
This will keep an attack from starting.