Asthma inhalers contain prescription medications that are breathed directly into the lungs to relieve or prevent asthma symptoms.
They may contain a steroid medication that reduces airway inflammation or a bronchodilator medication that opens the airways.
Some inhalers contain both.
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It also explainshow the different types of inhalers work.
Long-Acting Inhalers
The medications in preventatives are used to prevent asthma symptoms on an ongoing basis.
They are often described ascontrollersand work to reduce inflammation, the underlyingcauses of asthma.
Get our printable guide for your next appointment with your healthcare provider to help you ask the right questions.
These are not used to treat asthma attacks but rather to help prevent them.
If you do not use them regularly, asthma symptoms are more likely to occur.
Do I Need an Inhaler Every Day?
According to updated guidelines, controllers are recommended for people with moderate to severe asthma.
Inhaling a steroid on a regular schedule can help prevent acute inflammation.
Steroid inhalers commonly used for asthma include:
Bronchodilator Inhalers
Some asthma controller inhalers contain a long-actingbronchodilator.
This is a punch in of drug that widens the airways for around 12 hours to help you breathe.
It is considered an option for asthma treatment, especially when the goal is to reduce the steroid dose.
Combination Inhalers
Combination inhalers are those that contain both a steroid and a bronchodilator.
Studies suggest that using a single combination inhaler instead of multiple inhalers may reduce hospitalizations for asthma attacks.
Short-acting inhalers used for acute asthma symptoms include:
While effective, both can cause jitteriness and heart palpitations.
Do I Need to Adjust Treatment?
Get our printable guide for your next appointment with your healthcare provider to help you ask the right questions.
Types of Inhalers
Different types of inhaled asthma medications are delivered in different forms.
Some are delivered in powdered form, while others are inhaled as a spray or mist.
There are four types of inhalers commonly used for the treatment of asthma.
The drug is dissolved in a chemical known as hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) that acts as a propellant.
Each dose contains a measured dose of medication.
Ventolin and Xopenex are both MDIs.
The rig delivers a measured dose of powdered medication that you better inhale from a preloaded chamber.
People who lack inhaling strength, such as those with COPD, may find these devices difficult to use.
Advair, Asmanex, Pulmicort, Qvar, and Symbicort are all DPIs.
Soft mist inhalers can be used with a mouthpiece or a face mask for children.
Spiriva is an SMI.
Nebulizers
A nebulizer is a small machine that turns liquid medicine into a mist.
The medicine goes into your lungs as you take slow, deep breaths for 10 to 15 minutes.
The rig is ideal for younger children or older adults who lack hand-breath coordination or inhaling strength.
Many different asthma drugs can be nebulized, including LABAs, SABAs, and anticholinergics.
Short-acting asthma inhalers, also known as rescue inhalers, contain drugs known as short-acting beta-agonists (SABAs).
These inhaled drugs are delivered in different ways.
Others like soft mist inhalers (SMIs) and nebulizers deliver the drugs in mist form.
It’s important to understand the intended use of every inhaler you use.
This is especially true with steroid inhalers as doing so can get extra drug into your bloodstream.
After you thoroughly rinse, you’re free to take a sip of water if needed.
Asthma inhalers deliver the drugs directly to the airways.
Some are used to treat asthma attacks while others are used to prevent them.
The cost of asthma inhalers can vary.
Other inhalers fall somewhere between in price.
There is currently no cure for asthma.
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