Asthma controller medications are designed to help prevent asthma attacks and the lung damage that can progress
over time.. They do this by treating the inflammation in the lungs which develops with asthma. In order to work
effectively, asthma controller medicines should be taken daily. Unlike rescue medications, you will not feel
anything happen immediately after using a controller medication. However, over time you will begin to notice an
improvement in your breathing and less frequent asthma attacks.
The most effective type of asthma controller is an inhaler that contains corticosteroids. This type of medicine does
not contain the same steroid as the anabolic steroid used by some athletes to bulk up. Instead, it contains a
special type of steroid medication that helps decrease the inflammation and swelling in the airways of asthmatics.
There are many different types of inhalers that contain corticosteroids, including Fluticasone (Flovent), and
Budesonide (Pulmicort, Qvar). Inhaled steroids have been studied extensively for the past 20+years and have
been demonstrated to safely treat asthma in children and adults.
Sometimes, inhaled corticosteroids are mixed together with a medication that helps relax the muscles of the
airways. This medication, called a long-acting beta agonist, works like a rescue inhaler, except that it is specially
formulated to work for longer periods of time (about 12 hours). The combination of inhaled steroids with long
acting beta-agonists results in improved asthma control. Combination inhalers include Fluticasone + Salmeterol
(Advair) and Budesonide + Formeterol (Symbicort). Because long acting beta-agonists work slowly, it is
important to remember that they should never be used to treat asthma attacks (use a rescue inhaler for asthma
attacks, and make sure to seek medical care if you don’t get better).
Another type of asthma controller commonly used is a medication called a “leukotriene receptor antagonist”.
Examples include Monteleukast (Singulair) and Zileuton (Zyflo). These medications do not contain steroids.
Experts recommend using inhaled corticosteroids first because studies show they are more effective than
leukotriene receptor antagonists in the treatment of asthma. However, the combination of inhaled corticosteroids
with leukotriene inhibitors can be beneficial.
Sources:
Expert Panel Report 3: Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma-Summary Report 2007. J
Allergy Clin Immunol 1997;120:S94-138.
over time.. They do this by treating the inflammation in the lungs which develops with asthma. In order to work
effectively, asthma controller medicines should be taken daily. Unlike rescue medications, you will not feel
anything happen immediately after using a controller medication. However, over time you will begin to notice an
improvement in your breathing and less frequent asthma attacks.
The most effective type of asthma controller is an inhaler that contains corticosteroids. This type of medicine does
not contain the same steroid as the anabolic steroid used by some athletes to bulk up. Instead, it contains a
special type of steroid medication that helps decrease the inflammation and swelling in the airways of asthmatics.
There are many different types of inhalers that contain corticosteroids, including Fluticasone (Flovent), and
Budesonide (Pulmicort, Qvar). Inhaled steroids have been studied extensively for the past 20+years and have
been demonstrated to safely treat asthma in children and adults.
Sometimes, inhaled corticosteroids are mixed together with a medication that helps relax the muscles of the
airways. This medication, called a long-acting beta agonist, works like a rescue inhaler, except that it is specially
formulated to work for longer periods of time (about 12 hours). The combination of inhaled steroids with long
acting beta-agonists results in improved asthma control. Combination inhalers include Fluticasone + Salmeterol
(Advair) and Budesonide + Formeterol (Symbicort). Because long acting beta-agonists work slowly, it is
important to remember that they should never be used to treat asthma attacks (use a rescue inhaler for asthma
attacks, and make sure to seek medical care if you don’t get better).
Another type of asthma controller commonly used is a medication called a “leukotriene receptor antagonist”.
Examples include Monteleukast (Singulair) and Zileuton (Zyflo). These medications do not contain steroids.
Experts recommend using inhaled corticosteroids first because studies show they are more effective than
leukotriene receptor antagonists in the treatment of asthma. However, the combination of inhaled corticosteroids
with leukotriene inhibitors can be beneficial.
Sources:
Expert Panel Report 3: Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma-Summary Report 2007. J
Allergy Clin Immunol 1997;120:S94-138.
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What Are Asthma Controllers?
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