There are two main kinds of medicines for asthma: those that help with the
long-term control of asthma and those that give
short-term quick relief from asthma symptoms.
Long-Term-Control Medicines Are Taken Every Day To Control Asthma
Long-term-control medicines will prevent symptoms and control asthma. But it often takes a few weeks before you feel the full effects of this medicine.
Ask your doctor about taking daily long-term-control medicine if you:
- Have asthma symptoms three or more times a week, or
- Have asthma symptoms at night three or more times a month.
If you need a long-term-control medicine, you will need to
keep taking your medicine each day, even when you feel well. This is the only way you can keep your asthma under control. Make taking your long-term-control medicine a part of your daily routine — just like eating, sleeping, and brushing your teeth.
The Long-Term-Control Asthma Medicines
The most effective long-term-control medicines are those that reduce swelling in your airways (inflammation). These medicines include inhaled steroids, cromolyn, and nedocromil.
- Inhaled steroids and steroid tablets or liquids are the strongest long-term-control medicines. The steroids used for asthma are NOT the same as the unsafe steroids some athletes take to build muscles.
Inhaled steroids are used to prevent symptoms and control mild, moderate, and severe asthma. Inhaled steroids are safe when taken at recommended doses. This is because the medicine goes right to your lungs where you need it. This reduces the amount of medicine you need and the chance of any side effects.
Steroid tablets or liquids are used safely for short times to quickly bring asthma under control. They are also used longer term to control the most severe asthma.
