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.
Benralizumab – FASENRA
Benralizumab – FASENRA
Drug Name: Benralizumab
Brand Name: FASENRA®
Medicine Use: Add-on therapy/long-term control
Type of Medicine: Biologic
Form: Injection
Prescribing Info: FASENRA (benralizumab) injection prescribing information insert
Possible Side Effects:
Allergic (hypersensitivity) reactions, including anaphylaxis
Headache
Sore throat
Notes/Resources:
FASENRA is a maintenance treatment for severe eosinophilic asthma.
Learn about benralizumab (FASENRA®) in pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
Dupilumab – DUPIXENT
Dupilumab – DUPIXENT
Drug Name: Dupilumab
Brand Name: DUPIXENT®
Medicine Use: Add-on therapy/long-term control
Type of Medicine: Biologic
Form: Injection
Prescribing Info: DUPIXENT (dupilumab) injection prescribing information insert
Notes:
DUPIXENT is a maintenance treatment for moderate-to-severe asthma caused by type 2 inflammation (which includes eosinophilic asthma and/or allergic asthma). DUPIXENT is also approved to treat moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (eczema), chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis, eosinophilic esophagitis, and prurigo nodularis.
Learn more about dupilumab in pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
Possible Side Effects:
Joint pain
Injection site reactions (pain, redness, swelling, itching, or a burning feeling at the injection site)
Upper respiratory tract infections
Eye and eyelid inflammation
Dry eye
Herpes virus infections
Common cold symptoms
Cold sores in your mouth or on your lips
Throat pain
High count of a certain white blood cell (eosinophilia)
Dizziness
Muscle pain
Diarrhea
Gastritis
Toothache
Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
Parasitic infections
Mepolizumab – NUCALA
Mepolizumab – NUCALA
Drug Name: Mepolizumab
Brand Name: NUCALA®
Medicine Use: Add-on therapy/long-term control
Type of Medicine: Biologic
Form: Injection
Prescribing Info: NUCALA (mepolizumab) injection prescribing information insert
Notes: NUCALA is a maintenance treatment for severe eosinophilic asthma. NUCALA is also approved for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, and hypereosinophilic syndrome.
Possible Side Effects:
Headache
Injection site reactions (pain, redness, swelling, itching, or a burning feeling at the injection site)
Back pain
Tiredness (fatigue)
Notes/Resources:
Learn more about Mepolizumab in pregnancy and while breastfeeding
Omalizumab – XOLAIR
Omalizumab – XOLAIR
Drug Name: Omalizumab
Brand Name: XOLAIR®
Medicine Use: Add-on therapy/long-term control
Type of Medicine: Biologic
Form: Injection
Prescribing Info: XOLAIR (omalizumab) injection prescribing information insert
Notes: XOLAIR is a maintenance treatment for moderate-to-severe allergic asthma. XOLAIR is also approved for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis and chronic spontaneous urticaria (chronic hives).
Possible Side Effects:
Fever
Muscle aches
Joint pain
Dizziness
Tiredness (fatigue)
Bone fractures
Itching
Skin rash
Ear pain or discomfort
Headache
Nose, throat, or sinus swelling
Stomach pain
Throat infection
Ear infection
Nose bleeds
You may experience other side effects if you have chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps or chronic spontaneous urticaria. For more information, please see the XOLAIR prescribing information.
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
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
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.