Drugs Commonly Used to Treat Asthma
Drug | Some Side Effects | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|
Anticholinergics (inhaled) | |||
Dry mouth Rapid heart rate | Usually used in combination with a beta-adrenergic drug | ||
Short-acting beta-adrenergic drugs (inhaled) | |||
Increased heart rate Shakiness | For immediate relief of acute attack | ||
Long-acting beta-adrenergic drugs (inhaled) | |||
Increased heart rate Shakiness | For ongoing treatment, not for acute relief Not recommended for use alone (without other asthma drugs) | ||
Ultra–long-acting beta-adrenergic drugs (inhaled) | |||
Vilanterol | Runny nose and sneezing High blood pressure Cough Headache | Not recommended for use alone (without other asthma drugs). | |
Corticosteroids (inhaled) | |||
Fungal infection of the mouth (thrush) A change in the voice | Inhaled for prevention (long-term control) of asthma | ||
Corticosteroids (oral or injection) | |||
Weight gain Elevated blood sugar levels Rarely, psychosis Osteoporosis Cataracts Skin thinning and easy bruising Insomnia | Used for acute asthma attacks and for asthma that cannot be controlled with inhaled therapy | ||
Immunomodulators (injection) | |||
Discomfort at the injection site Rarely, anaphylactic reactions | Used in people with severe asthma to decrease use of oral corticosteroids | ||
Leukotriene modifiers (oral) | |||
Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis | Used more for prevention (long-term control) than for treatment | ||
Mast cell stabilizers (inhaled) | |||
Coughing or wheezing | Useful for preventing attacks, often related to exercise, but not for treatment of an acute attack | ||
Methylxanthine (oral) | |||
Increased heart rate Shakiness Stomach upset Seizures (if the blood level is high) Serious heartbeat irregularities (if the blood level is high) | Can be used for prevention and treatment Taken by mouth but can be given intravenously in a hospital | ||