Encyclopedia of Health and Medicine

asthma 189
MEDICATIONS TO TREAT ASTHMA
Type of Medication Common Products Type of Relief Asthma Classification
beta-2 agonists, inhaled albuterol (Airet, Proventil, short-acting steps 1, 2, 3, or 4
Ventolin), bitolterol (Tornalate), rescue
pirbuterol (Maxair)
beta-2 agonists, oral long-acting: salmeterol (Serevent), long-acting: controller steps 2, 3, and 4
albuterol extended release
medication, especially
(Volmax, Proventil Repetabs)
at night
short-acting: terbutaline (Brethine, short-acting: rescue
Bricanyl)
corticosteroids, inhaled beclomethasone (Qvar, Vanceril), long-acting steps 2, 3, and 4
budesonide (Pulmicort), flunisolide controller medication
(AeroBid), fluticasone (Flovent),
triamcinolone (Azmacort)
corticosteroids, oral methylprednisolone (Medrol), short-acting steps 3 and 4
prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone), controller medication for
prednisolone (Prelone)
symptoms that do not
respond to other medications
rescue
leukotriene modifiers, oral zafirlukast (Accolate), zileuton long-acting steps 3 and 4,
(Zyflo) controller medication occasionally step 2
other, inhaled ipratropium (Atrovent), cromolyn short-acting steps 3 and 4
(Intal), nedocromil (Tilade)
rescue
prophylactic when used
before intense physical
exercise
other, oral theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theolair, long-acting step 3, occasionally
Aerolate, Slo-Phyllin) step 2
Risk Factors and Preventive Measures
The key risk factor for asthma attack is exposure
to a substance that initiates a hypersensitivity
reaction. Most people can easily identify these
substances after experiencing a few asthma
attacks, and avoiding exposure to known allergens
significantly reduces attacks. A wide range of irritants
can cause asthma attacks in many people,
however, making it impossible to avoid exposure.
As well, for some people triggers for asthma
attacks include emotional stress and physical exertion,
common elements of everyday life.
Health experts have identified a number of factors
that appear to increase an individual’s risk for
developing asthma. Key among them are
• living in cities, where the concentration of particulate
pollutants in the air is high
• family history of asthma
• recurrent upper respiratory INFECTION as a child
• cigarette smoking or exposure to ENVIRONMENTAL
CIGARETTE SMOKE