Asthma is a chronic disease that afflicts the airways. The bronchial tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs become inflamed and constricted during an asthma attack. As the airways react to external irritants, the airways narrow, causing difficulty breathing. Common asthma treatments include inhalation medications, which act to rapidly reduce symptoms or prevent them altogether. Nonetheless, they carry serious long-term side effects if taken improperly and outside the provided dosing. Consult a medical professional immediately with any concerns with inhalation treatment.
Formoterol and Salmeterol Inhalers
Formoterol and salmeterol are long-term bronchodilators that relax the airway muscles for improved breathing, according to the Drugs.com. Symbicort contains formoterol and Advair contains salmeterol, which are both long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonists, or LABA, according to the Symbicort website. They are intended for prevention rather than as a fast-acting medication. If taken improperly and outside prescribed dosing, these compounds can cause a severe worsening of asthmatic symptoms such as wheezing, irritation of the throat, dangerously high blood pressure and even asthma-related death. Recent studies of the compound formoterol and salmeterol attest to the increased risk of asthma-related death due to possible immunosuppression and potential worsening of infections, the Symbicort website reports. Excessive stimulation by formoterol causes central nervous system and cardiovascular affects such as cardiac arrhythmias and cardiovascular disorders. Alternately, salmeterol causes the same long-term effects such as bronchospasms, uneven or fast heartbeats and blurred vision, warns Drugs.com. Salmeterol will not improve symptoms if taken more often than prescribed, where recommended dosing is usually one inhalation, twice a day, according to the Advair website.
Corticosteroid Inhalers
Corticosteroids reduce lung inflammation that occurs over time due to external allergens and that also significantly increases during the onset of an asthma attack. Popular corticosteroid inhalers include the brands Pulmicort, Flovent, Vanceril, Aerobid, Azmacort, Beclovent and Qvar, according to the New York City Department of Health and Dental Hygiene. Long-term side effects or excessive use of corticosteroids such as budenoside, fluticasone, triamcinolone and eclomethasone, which are present in these popular corticosteroid inhalers, can result in loss of bone mineral density and weaken the immune system. MayoClinic.com reports that long-term use, as well as excessive use, can inhibit growth in children. Doctors recommend using long-term corticosteroids in lieu of bronchodilators for the prevention of asthma, as the risks are much less.
Albuterol Inhalers
As the most prescribed and fast-acting inhaler, albuterol is a bronchodilator that rapidly relaxes the bronchial muscles to increase airflow into the lungs, notes Drugs.com. Common albuterol inhaler medications include ProAir HFA and Proventil HFA. Each use albuterol as the primary component to instantly relieve asthma attacks brought on by allergies or exercise. Long-term use of this compound can significantly increase the risk of asthma-related death, as it can cover up underlying issues that require medical attention. Chest pain, bronchospasm, hypertension and irregular heartbeats are common side effects. Patients should not use a fast-acting inhaler such as albuterol more than three times a week, as this indicates a need for a long-term preventative such as a corticosteroid, according to MayoClinic.com. Persistent and excessive use causes albuterol to become ineffective and the lungs too dilated, resulting in continual asthma symptoms.
