Treating Asthma

Anti-inflammatory drugs can help you stay in control of your asthma and prevent attacks. They work by reducing inflammation, swelling, and mucus in your airways. You and your doctor will decide which treatment is best for you based on the type of asthma you have and how severe it is.

The most popular asthma treatment is inhaled steroids. Taking them daily can help you control symptoms, get fewer flare-ups, and be less likely to go to the hospital. You'll likely see the best results after three months. If you're having an asthma attack, these medications may help symptoms, but they can take several hours to work. Inhaled steroids can cause thrush (a yeast infection in your mouth) and hoarseness.

To help control sudden and severe asthma attacks, your doctor may suggest systemic steroids, which you take by mouth or injection. In rare cases, these drugs can treat long-term, hard-to-control asthma. These medications work well, but weight gain, high blood pressure, and muscle weakness are common side effects.

Leukotriene modifiers are pills that can help with inflammation and lessen your need for other asthma medications. They can help people with allergic rhinitis (nasal allergies) and may work well for you if you have allergic rhinitis and allergic asthma. It can cause side effects like headache, nausea, trouble sleeping, and crankiness.

If you have severe asthma that does not respond to traditional therapies, your doctor may suggest an immunomodulator. These are drugs that can reduce asthma attacks by targeting your immune system. Common immunomodulators, like mepolizumab and omalizumab, may cause serious side effects like trouble breathing or anaphylaxis.

Anticholinergics are asthma drugs that can help you breathe better by opening and relaxing your airways. Your doctor may suggest you take a medicine like tiotropium bromide daily, especially if other drugs aren't controlling your symptoms. It can be used by people 6 and older. Sore throat, headache, and sinus infections are common symptoms.