Asthma
Asthma Medicines
There is no cure for asthma, but it can be controlled with the right treatment plan. Your treatment plan will include avoiding asthma triggers and taking certain medicines.
Learn more about asthma treatments and management basics in our FREE self-paced online course for people with asthma.
Notes: “Flu” is listed as a side effect for some medicines. But these medicines do NOT cause the flu. The flu is a contagious respiratory infection caused by a virus. “Flu” may be listed as a side effect because it was reported as one during a drug’s clinical trials, and the FDA requires that it be listed as it was reported. But it may mean “flu-like symptoms” or “respiratory infections.” It is very important that you take your prescribed medicines as directed and get a flu shot every year. If you have any questions about side effects, talk to your health care provider.
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America does not endorse a particular medicine or product.
Reslizumab – CINQAIR
Reslizumab – CINQAIR
Drug Name: Reslizumab
Brand Name: CINQAIR®
Medicine Use: Add-on therapy/long-term control
Type of Medicine: Biologic
Form: IV Infusion
Note: CINQAIR is a maintenance treatment for severe eosinophilic asthma.
Prescribing Info: CINQAIR (reslizumab) injection prescribing information insert
Possible Side Effects:
Throat pain
Salmeterol Xinafoate – Serevent Diskus
Salmeterol Xinafoate – Serevent Diskus
Drug Name: Salmeterol Xinafoate
Brand Name: Serevent® Diskus®
Medicine Use: Add-on therapy/long-term control
Type of Medicine: Long-acting beta agonist
Form: Dry powder inhaler
Prescribing Info: https://gsksource.com/sereventdiskus
Notes:
SEREVENT DISKUS is only an add-on therapy for asthma that is not well-controlled by an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS). Serevent Diskus should not be taken on its own. It must be taken in combination with an ICS.
Possible Side Effects:
Headache
Nasal congestion
Throat irritation
Runny nose
Flu
Bronchitis
You may experience other side effects if you have COPD. For more information, please see the Severent Diskus prescribing information
Notes/Resources:
Instructions for Use
Learn more about salmeterol in pregnancy and while breastfeeding
GSK will cap their inhaler prices at $35 for people who are commercially insured or uninsured no later than Jan. 1, 2025. Watch this page for more information on the coming price cap.
Tezepelumab-ekko – TEZSPIRE
Tezepelumab-ekko – TEZSPIRE
Drug Name: Tezepelumab-ekko
Brand Name: TEZSPIRE®
Medicine Use: Add-on therapy/long-term control
Type of Medicine: Biologic
Form: Injection
Prescribing Info: TEZSPIRE (tezepelumab-ekko) injection prescribing information insert
Note: TEZSPIRE is currently the only biologic approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for severe asthma regardless of asthma phenotype (type of asthma).
Possible Side Effects:
Allergic reaction
Sore throat
Joint and back pain
Theophylline – Aminophylline
Theophylline – Aminophylline
Drug Name: Theophylline
Brand Name: Aminophylline
Medicine Use: Long-term control
Type of Medicine: Xanthine
Form: Tablet
Prescribing Info:
Possible Side Effects:
Nausea/vomiting
Headache
Insomnia
Theophylline – Elixophyllin
Theophylline – Elixophyllin
Drug Name: Theophylline
Brand Name: Elixophyllin®
Medicine Use: Long-term control
Type of Medicine: Xanthine
Form: Elixir
Prescribing Info:
Possible Side Effects:
Nausea/vomiting
Headache
Insomnia
Theophylline – Generic
Theophylline – Generic
Drug Name: Theophylline
Brand Name: Generic
Medicine Use: Long-term control
Type of Medicine: Xanthine
Form: Capsules, Elixir, IV solution, Tablet
Prescribing Info:
Possible Side Effects:
Nausea/vomiting
Headache
Insomnia
Theophylline – Theo-24
Theophylline – Theo-24
Drug Name: Theophylline
Brand Name: Theo-24®
Medicine Use: Long-term control
Type of Medicine: Xanthine
Form: Capsule
Prescribing Info:
Possible Side Effects:
Nausea/vomiting
Headache
Insomnia
Theophylline – Theochron
Theophylline – Theochron
Drug Name: Theophylline
Brand Name: Theochron
Medicine Use: Long-term control
Type of Medicine: Xanthine
Form: Tablet
Prescribing Info:
Possible Side Effects:
Nausea/vomiting
Headache
Insomnia
Theophylline – Uniphyl
Theophylline – Uniphyl
Drug Name: Theophylline
Brand Name: Uniphyl®
Medicine Use: Long-term control
Type of Medicine: Xanthine
Form: Tablet
Prescribing Info:
Possible Side Effects:
Nausea/vomiting
Headache
Insomnia
Zafirlukast – Generic
Zafirlukast – Generic
Drug Name: Zafirlukast
Brand Name: Generic of Accolate
Medicine Use: Long-term control
Type of Medicine: Leukotriene modifier
Form: Tablet
Prescribing Info:
Possible Side Effects:
Headache
Infection
Nausea
Diarrhea
Pain (generalized)
Weakness or lack of energy
Abdominal pain
Accidental injury
Dizziness
Myalgia
Fever
Back pain
Vomiting
Elevated liver enzymes indigestion
References
Medical Review August 2018.
Knowing how to manage asthma is important for better health and quality of life. We offer an online course called ASTHMA Care for Adults. This comprehensive program covers a full range of topics everyone with asthma needs to know. This self-paced online course is presented in different formats, such as videos, animations, handouts and more.
