The American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology states that more than 50 million people in the U.S. have allergies and/or asthma. As common as it is, asthma has no cure. Certain medications, however, can both prevent symptoms from occurring and bring relief from asthma attacks.
Types
Asthma medications are divided into two categories of action: controlling and relieving. Relief medications will ease the most drastic asthma symptoms, known as an "asthma attack," with immediate, short-term action. These medications include inhaled bronchodilators and beta agonists. Orally administered beta agonists have longer-lasting results with a higher risk for side effects, and oral theophylline requires active monitoring through blood tests.
Controlling medications are meant to prevent asthmatics from develop attack symptoms on a long-term basis. These include the anti-inflammatory drugs cromolyn sodium, nedocromil sodium and several corticosteroids, in inhaled and oral form. Additional asthma control medications are long-acting inhaled beta agonists, leukotriene modifier tablets and, in some severe instances, anti-IgE injection therapy.
Related Condition and Medication
Allergies are the starting point of asthma for many people. Most substances that can induce an immune reaction, including allergens such as pollen, dust, dander and airborne chemicals, can lead to asthma symptoms. Therefore, some asthma patients are treated first for their known allergies or tested for allergies at the outset of their treatment. In some cases, injectable allergy medications are prescribed. Allergy drugs are also available in liquid, pill and nasal spray forms.
Typical Prescribed Use
Asthma medications used to control and prevent symptoms are generally prescribed to be taken daily, regardless of apparent symptoms. For those patients whose cause of asthma has been determined or is strongly suspected--for example, exercise or allergies to certain triggers, such as dust, animal dander, or seasonal flowering plants--daily control medication may be necessary only for certain periods of time around the occurrence of the cause.
Asthma drugs that act immediately and directly to stop asthma attacks are intended only for short-term, occasional use. When a patient needs these attack-relief medications more often than prescribed, physicians concur that preventive drugs should be started or modified.
Possible Adverse Reactions
Whether or not you are at risk for side effects from these medications depends on variable factors like the specific cause of asthma, overall immune system health, age and more. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America states that overuse of asthma medications, especially inhaled varieties, puts patients at the greatest risk for adverse reactions.
MayoClinic.com states that while inhaled corticosteroids, in particular, are generally safe, side effects may include irritation of the mouth and throat, as well as oral yeast infections. Rinsing with water after each administration is recommended to prevent these uncomfortable medication responses.
More seriously, leukotriene modifiers have been linked in rare cases to psychological disturbances. A physician should be notified immediately in the event of concerns about increased agitation, hallucinations or depression after using this class of drug.
Cases of very severe asthma may require short-term treatment with oral corticosteroids such as prednisone or hydrocortisone. If used on a long-term basis, side effects can mount, including weakened immune system, cataracts, osteoporosis, high blood pressure and muscle weakness.
Some long-acting medications may actually increase a patient's risk for a severe asthma attack. For this reason, these drugs are typically prescribed along with inhaled corticosteroids. The list of long-acting beta agonists, according to the MayoClinic.com, includes salmeterol, formoterol and the combination drugs Advair and Symbicort.
Potential side effects of allergy medications--which may or may not be prescribed to asthma patients--are described by the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology as generally mild and include dry mouth, urinary problems, constipation, drowsiness and irritability.
Special Considerations
Inhaled corticosteroids are most effective at controlling asthma symptoms, yet their use can lead to osteoporosis, mostly in older women. Osteoporosis, a condition wherein bones can become dangerously brittle, can be counteracted with nutrition and exercise specifications, as well as with medication. Patients using inhaled corticosteroids should discuss the risks and benefits that are specific to osteoporosis with their doctor.
Children who use inhaled corticosteroids on a long-term basis are at risk for slight delays in their growth, according to MayoClinic.com.
