Asthma
Asthma Medicines
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Budesonide – Pulmicort RESPULES
Budesonide – Pulmicort RESPULES
Drug Name: Budesonide
Brand Name: Pulmicort RESPULES®
Medicine Use: Long-term control
Type of Medicine: Inhaled corticosteroid
Form: Nebulizer solution
Prescribing Info: http://www.pulmicortrespules.com
Possible Side Effects:
Respiratory infections
Runny nose
Cough
Viral infections
Viral irritation/inflammation of stomach and intestine
Ear infections
Nosebleed
Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
Rash
Budesonide/Formoterol – Symbicort
Budesonide/Formoterol – Symbicort
Drug Name: Budesonide/Formoterol
Brand Name: Symbicort®
Medicine Use: Long-term control, Quick Relief, or Both
Type of Medicine: Combination inhaled medicines
Form: Metered dose inhaler
Prescribing Info: https://www.mysymbicort.com/
Possible Side Effects:
Throat irritation
Headache
Upper respiratory tract infection
Throat pain
Sinusitis
Flu
Back pain
Nasal congestion
Upset stomach
Vomiting
Thrush
Single Maintenance and Reliever Therapy (SMART) Combination Medicines: Quick-Relief and Controller Medicine Combined
A combination inhaler that contains both formoterol and budesonide may be used as both a quick-relief and a controller medicine. This may be prescribed to be taken daily to prevent symptoms, as needed for sudden symptoms, or both. Note: As of January 2022, this is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use as a quick-relief medicine. However, the National Institutes of Health does recommend the use of formoterol-budesonide in a stepwise approach for asthma management (2020 Focused Updates to the Asthma Management Guidelines).
Ciclesonide – Alvesco
Ciclesonide – Alvesco
Drug Name: Ciclesonide
Brand Name: Alvesco®
Medicine Use: Long-term control
Type of Medicine: Inhaled corticosteroid
Form: Metered dose inhaler
Prescribing Info: https://www.alvesco.us/
Possible Side Effects:
Headache
Swelling of nose and throat
Sinusitis
Throat pain
Upper respiratory infection
Joint pain
Nasal congestion
Arm/leg/back pain
Cortisone Acetate – Generic
Cortisone Acetate – Generic
Drug Name: Cortisone Acetate
Brand Name: Generic
Medicine Use: Quick-relief
Type of Medicine: Oral corticosteroids
Form: Tablet
Prescribing Info:
Possible Side Effects:
Vision problems (like glaucoma)
Increased appetite
Nausea/vomiting
Weight gain/swelling
Shortness of breath
Severe depression/unusual thoughts or behavior
Seizures
Bloody or tarry stools
Coughing up blood
Increased heart rate
Severe stomach pain
Cromolyn Sodium – Generic
Cromolyn Sodium – Generic
Drug Name: Cromolyn Sodium
Brand Name: Generic
Medicine Use: Long-term control
Type of Medicine: Cromolyn Sodium
Form: Nebulizer solution
Prescribing Info:
Possible Side Effects:
Drowsiness
Hoarseness
Upset stomach
Tightness in lungs
Wheezing
Rash
Dexamethasone – Generic
Dexamethasone – Generic
Drug Name: Dexamethasone
Brand Name: Generic
Medicine Use: Quick-relief
Type of Medicine: Oral corticosteroids
Form: Tablet, Liquid
Prescribing Info: https://www.drugs.com/pro/dexamethasone.html
Possible Side Effects:
Itching/hives
Vision problems
Nausea/vomiting
Weight gain/swelling
Moodiness
Skin color changes
Increase in heart rate
Dupilumab – DUPIXENT
Dupilumab – DUPIXENT
Drug Name: Dupilumab
Brand Name: DUPIXENT®
Medicine Use: Long-term control
Type of Medicine: Biologics
Form: Injection
Prescribing Info: https://www.dupixent.com/asthma
Notes:
Dupilumab is also used to treat moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (eczema) and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis.
Possible Side Effects:
Injection site reactions
Throat pain
High count of a certain white blood cell (eosinophilia)
Parasitic infections
Fluticasone Furoate – ARNUITY ELLIPTA
Fluticasone Furoate – ARNUITY ELLIPTA
Drug Name: Fluticasone Furoate
Brand Name: ARNUITY® ELLIPTA®
Medicine Use: Long-term control
Type of Medicine: Inhaled corticosteroid
Form: Dry powder inhaler
Prescribing Info: https://www.arnuity.com/
Possible Side Effects:
Runny nose and sore throat
Headache
Breathing problems (bronchitis)
Flu
Fluticasone Furoate/Umeclidinium/Vilanterol – TRELEGY ELLIPTA
Fluticasone Furoate/Umeclidinium/Vilanterol – TRELEGY ELLIPTA
Drug Name: Fluticasone Furoate/Umeclidinium/Vilanterol
Brand Name: TRELEGY ELLIPTA®
Medicine Use: Long-term control
Type of Medicine: Combination inhaled medicines
Form: Dry powder inhaler
Prescribing Info: https://www.trelegy.com/
Possible Side Effects:
Upper respiratory infection
Pneumonia
Bronchitis
Thrush
Headache
Back pain
Joint pain
Flu
Sinus inflammation
Runny nose/sore throat
Constipation
Urinary tract infection
Nausea/vomiting/diarrhea
Mouth/throat pain
Cough
Hoarseness
Fluticasone Furoate/Vilanterol – BREO ELLIPTA
Fluticasone Furoate/Vilanterol – BREO ELLIPTA
Drug Name: Fluticasone Furoate/Vilanterol
Brand Name: BREO ELLIPTA®
Medicine Use: Long-term control
Type of Medicine: Combination inhaled medicines
Form: Dry powder inhaler
Prescribing Info: https://www.mybreo.com/
Possible Side Effects:
Runny nose
Sore throat
Headache
Flu
Respiratory infection
Bronchitis
Sinus inflammation
Mouth and throat pain
Hoarseness and voice changes
Cough
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.