The most common asthma treatments are inhalers.
These are considered the best asthma treatments for most children. This is because inhalers help get the medicine to the airways where it’s needed.
All pressurised metered-dose inhalers MUST be taken as prescribed and through a spacer device. Perfect technique is essential for them to be most effective - view the how to guides, but ask your doctor, asthma nurse or pharmacist to show you too. If you have a dry powder inhaler, the technique to take this will be different and your doctor, asthma nurse or pharmacist will show you too.
Reliever inhalers
- Most commonly used reliever inhaler is salbutamol (ventolin / salamol) and it's colour blue.
- Reliever inhalers relieve asthma symptoms like coughing, wheezing, breathlessness, and a tight chest.
- You use your reliever inhaler just when you have symptoms, or an asthma attack, or after an asthma attack.
- If your asthma is well controlled, you shouldn’t need to use your reliever inhaler often - or at all.
- If you are using your reliever inhaler more than 2-3 times a week, this may be a sign your asthma is not well controlled - make an appointment with your GP.
- But remember to always carry it with you in case your symptoms do flare up.
- Follow your Asthma Action Plan to know what to do if experiencing asthma symptoms
- Common side effects include feeling shaky, nauseous, dizzy and hyperactive, especially in higher doses. If you feel your heart beating very fast, see a doctor immediately.
- Ensure your inhaler technique is perfect - see pictures and video below.
- More information on Salbutamol can be found by clicking here for a leaflet from Medicines for Children
Preventer inhalers
Preventer inhalers prevent swelling, irritation and inflammation in the airways. This means you’re less likely to get symptoms if you come across your asthma triggers and have the best control of your asthma to be active in the day and sleep well at night. Taking your preventer inhalers everyday as prescribed on your Asthma Action Plan is crucial to control your symptoms and protect you from having a life-threatening asthma attack.
There are various preventer inhalers with different delivery systems, medicines and of different strengths. Some contain just an inhaled steroid, others are combination inhalers containing an inhaled steroid and long acting reliever inhaler. Your doctor or asthma nurse will explain which inhaler is most suitable for you.
Side effects using steroid inhalers include sore throat, hoarse voice and mouth infection called thrush. Poor inhaler technique makes side effects more likely as they don't get to the lungs properly. Ensure you ask your doctor or nurse how to take properly.
Best principles:
- Follow your Asthma Action Plan
- Develop a regular routine
- Make sure you don't run out
- Learn the best technique to take them effectively
- Keep your appointments
Clenil modulite contains the inhaled steroid beclomethasone diproprionate.
Your doctor/nurse will give you the lowest dose needed to keep your asthma well controlled.
Ensure with all steroid inhalers you rinse your mouth after taking them. Lots of people take them before brushing their teeth to make it easier to remember.
Use your spacer device to optimise the delivery of the medicine to your lungs. Do not miss any doses as they take time to build up to optimal levels in your lungs.
More information on Clenil modulite can be found by clicking here for a leaflet from Medicines for Children.
Flixotide contains the inhaled steroid fluticasone.
Your doctor/nurse will give you the lowest dose needed to keep your asthma well controlled. It is used by some as an alternative to clenil modulite.
Ensure with all steroid inhalers you rinse your mouth after taking them.
Use your spacer device to optimise the delivery of the medicine to your lungs. Do not miss any doses as they take time to build up to optimal levels in your lungs.
More information on FLixotide can be found on this Medicines for Children information leaflet by clicking here
Seretide is a combination inhaler. It contains the inhaled steroid fluticasone and a long acting reliever medication called salmeterol.
Combination inhalers are used particularly where just an inhaled steroid inhaler (such as clenil and flixotide) are not providing enough control of asthma symptoms. The combination can be very effective in reducing reliever inhalers (such as short acting salbutamol) usage.
Taken everyday via a spacer device as prescribed and according to your Asthma Action Plan will reduce the chance of you having a life threatening asthma attack.
Symbicort is also a combination inhaler. It contains the inhaled steroid budesonide and a long acting reliever medication called formoterol.
Combination inhalers are used particularly where just an inhaled steroid inhaler (such as clenil and flixotide) are not providing enough control of asthma symptoms.
Symbicort has the additional benefit that it can be used as part of a SMART regime, which stands for Symbicort Maintenance and Reliever Therapy. During worsening asthma symptoms, extra inhaled doses of Symbicort can be taken as per Asthma SMART Action Plan (download blank plan here). Once extra doses are taken, you must make an urgent appointment with your GP within 24 hours.
SMART regime: Increase to 2 puffs twice daily; then 1 extra puff as required, repeated after 1-3 minutes to maximum of 6 puffs. Maximum 8 puffs in 24 hours. If Peak Flow less than 70% of best/predicted or 8 puffs taken in 24 hrs, start prednisolone and contact GP urgently. If worsening or peak flow less than 50% call 999.
All inhalers must be taken with a spacer device, unless advised otherwise.
This ensures the medication in your inhaler reaches your lungs most effectively. Good inhaler technique with spacer ensures you get the maximal benefit from your inhaler, with the least side-effects. View our inforation on inhaler technique and spacers.