There are a variety of medicines available to treat asthma, but there is no "best" medicine for all people. Each person's asthma is different, and your healthcare provider and healthcare team can work with you to set up the best plan for you based on your symptoms and needs.
How Asthma Medicines Work
People with asthma are often treated with a combination of quick-relief and long-term controller medicines.
Quick-Relief Medicine works quickly to relax your airways and help you breathe easier.
- You need to take this medicine if your asthma symptoms get worse.
- Be sure to start treatment as soon as your symptoms begin.
Long-Term Control Medicine reduces the swelling and inflammation in your airways and prevents symptoms
- You need to take these medicines every day, even when you feel well.
Types of Asthma Medicines
The following medicines are commonly used to treat asthma. It is important to follow your healthcare provider's advice about your treatment.
How to Get the Most out of Your Asthma Medicine
Asthma medicines do not cure asthma, but they can help improve your symptoms. The most important thing is to take your medicine(s) exactly as your healthcare provider has instructed you to take them. That means, taking the right medicine at the right time and with the proper technique!
Set up a system that will work best for you and the people who help care for you:
- Make a medicine schedule showing what you take and when
- Ask a friend or family member to help you organize your "system"
- Connect taking your medicine with your routine habits, such as before or after certain meals or when you brush your teeth in the morning or evening
- Set an alarm to ring
- Use a weekly pill box that has sections for each day and different times of the day
If you are having asthma symptoms, are not sure if you are taking your medicine correctly, or if you are experiencing bothersome side effects, talk to your healthcare provider or another member of your healthcare team. They can help make sure you understand the correct way to take the medicines, or they may want to adjust the medicines you are taking. Also, if you are denied a medicine because it is not covered by your health insurance, be sure to talk to your doctor. Sometimes they can help you get the medicines approved or put you on a different medicine that is covered by your insurance.
Page last updated: June 7, 2024