Asthma medicines

Asthma medicines
You and your child should know the name of each medicine your child is taking. Each person’s asthma is different and medicines that help one person may not help another. Always use medicines in the amount and method prescribed. Always make sure you have enough medicines on hand. Quick acting inhaled bronchodilators (rescue or reliever medicines)
Brand name
Generic name
Things to know
Side effects
pirbuterol • Opens airways by relaxing the muscles
• Shaky hands, “hyper” feeling, fast • Should be used first if other inhalers are • Side effects usually only last a short • Try to wait 1 minute between puffs to let • Call doctor if the side effects are too • These medicines start working in about 5 Long-acting inhaled bronchodilators (controllers)
Brand name
Generic name
Things to know
Side effects
• Opens airways by relaxing muscles
• Take about 12 hours apart. Do not take • Never use to relieve symptoms.
• Should also be on an inhaled corticosteroid
Inhaled corticosteroids (controllers)
Brand name
Generic name
Things to know
Side effects
triamcinolone • Prevents swelling, inflammation, and
• Possible thrush; rinse mouth and spit mometasone • Continue using this medicine every day to
• Must be used with a spacer (except if Do not stop taking this medicine until the Inhaled corticosteroid / Long-acting bronchodilator combinations (controllers)
Brand name
Generic name
Things to know
Side effects
• Prevents swelling, inflammation, and • Possible thrush; rinse mouth and spit • Opens airways by relaxing muscles around and formoterol • Take every day to prevent episodes.
• Do not stop taking this medicine until the • Never use it to relieve symptoms. • Take doses about 12 hours apart. • Do not take more than twice a day. Inhaled anti-inflammatory medicines (controllers)
Brand name
Generic name
Things to know
Side effects
cromolyn • Prevents inflammation by stabilizing cells • Side effects are very rare.
that line the airway; blocks the reaction to • Take every day to prevent episodes.
• Do not take more than 4 times daily.
• Do not stop taking this medicine until your
Leukotriene receptor antagonist (controller)
Brand name
Generic name
Things to know
Side effects
montelukast • Prevents swelling, inflammation, and
• Call the doctor if flu-like symptoms • Take every day to prevent episodes.
• Do not stop taking this medicine until your Oral corticosteroids
Brand name
Generic name
Things to know
Side effects
prednisolone • Decreases swelling, inflammation, and
• Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor
Questions?
This sheet is not specific to your child, but provides general information. If you have any
questions, please call the clinic or pharmacy.
Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota Patient/Family Education 2525 Chicago Avenue South

Source: http://dowling.mpls.k12.mn.us/uploads/asthma.meds.chc.pdf