Asthma

/ Asthma / Asthma Treatment / Asthma Medicines

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.

For proper use, talk to your health care provider or pharmacist or read the prescribing information for your medicines. The most common side effects are listed. For a full list of side effects of a medicine, visit the links under Prescribing Information.

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.

  • Medicine Use

  • Type of Medicine

Found 68 Results

Beclomethasone Dipropionate – QVAR RediHaler

Beclomethasone Dipropionate – QVAR RediHaler

/ Asthma / Asthma Treatment / Asthma Medicines

Drug Name: Beclomethasone Dipropionate

Brand Name: QVAR® RediHaler™

Medicine Use: Long-term control

Type of Medicine: Inhaled corticosteroid

Form: Breath actuated inhalation aerosol

Prescribing Info: https://www.qvar.com/

Possible Side Effects:
Yeast infection in the mouth
Cold symptoms (upper respiratory tract infection)
Pain in the throat
Pain or swelling in your nose and throat
Sinusitis
Allergic rhinitis

Notes/Resources:
How To Use QVAR RediHaler
QVAR RediHaler Videos & Resources

Qvar Redi Haler

Benralizumab – FASENRA

Benralizumab – FASENRA

/ Asthma / Asthma Treatment / Asthma Medicines

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 insertDownload PDF

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.

AirDuo Respiclick dry powder inhaler

Budesonide – Pulmicort Flexhaler

Budesonide – Pulmicort Flexhaler

/ Asthma / Asthma Treatment / Asthma Medicines

Drug Name: Budesonide

Brand Name: Pulmicort Flexhaler®

Medicine Use: Long-term control

Type of Medicine: Inhaled corticosteroid

Form: Dry powder inhaler

Possible Side Effects:
Sore nose and throat
Stuffy nose
Runny nose
Nausea
Hay fever
Viral upper respiratory tract infection
Viral irritation and inflammation of the stomach and intestine
Ear infections

pulmocort flexhaler

Budesonide – Pulmicort RESPULES

Budesonide – Pulmicort RESPULES

/ Asthma / Asthma Treatment / Asthma Medicines

Drug Name: Budesonide

Brand Name: Pulmicort RESPULES®

Medicine Use: Long-term control

Type of Medicine: Inhaled corticosteroid

Form: Nebulizer solution

Possible Side Effects:
Respiratory infections
Runny nose
Cough
Viral infections
Viral irritation/inflammation of stomach and intestine
Ear infections
Nosebleed
Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
Rash

Notes/Resources:
How To Correctly Use Your Asthma Devices – See nebulizer instructions

pulmocort flexhaler

Budesonide/Formoterol – Breyna

Budesonide/Formoterol – Breyna

/ Asthma / Asthma Treatment / Asthma Medicines

Drug Name: Budesonide/Formoterol

Brand Name: Breyna™

Medicine Use: Long-term control

Type of Medicine: Combination inhaled medicine

Form: Metered dose inhaler

Prescribing Info: breyna.com

Possible Side Effects:
Throat irritation
Headache
Upper respiratory tract infection
Sinusitis
Throat pain
Flu
Back pain
Nasal congestion
Stomach discomfort
Vomiting
Thrush

Notes/Resources:
Instructions for Use

Symbicort 360

Budesonide/Formoterol – Symbicort

Budesonide/Formoterol – Symbicort

/ Asthma / Asthma Treatment / Asthma Medicines

Drug Name: Budesonide/Formoterol

Brand Name: Symbicort®

Medicine Use: Long-term control, Quick Relief, or Both

Type of Medicine: Combination inhaled medicine

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
Stomach discomfort
Vomiting
Thrush

You may experience other side effects if you have COPD. For more information, please see the SYMBICORT prescribing information.

Notes/Resources:
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).
About Symbicort

As of June 1, 2024, AstraZeneca has capped inhaler prices at $35 for people who are commercially insured or uninsured. Here are ways you may be able to save on this medicine:

  • Commercially insured and covered: You can pay as little as $0 for AIRSUPRA and BREZTRI and pay no more than $35 for SYMBICORT and BEVESPI using the savings cards provided on brand websites.
  • Commercially insured but AstraZeneca inhaler is not covered in your plan: You or your health care providers can request a prior authorization or ask your doctor about a therapeutic alternative.
  • Uninsured: if eligible, you can use the $35 uninsured savings card accessible on the US Patient Support site.
  • Government insured (Medicare/Medicaid):  Federal law prohibits people on government programs from using a savings card, which is why they may be directed to AZ&Me. Qualifications for AZ&Me are based on where you live, insurance status, and income.
  • For additional questions or more information, visit AstraZeneca’s patient support site or call: 1-800-236-9933
Symbicort 360

Ciclesonide – Alvesco

Ciclesonide – Alvesco

/ Asthma / Asthma Treatment / Asthma Medicines

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

Notes/Resources:
How To Use Alvesco

pulmocort flexhaler

Cortisone Acetate – Generic

Cortisone Acetate – Generic

/ Asthma / Asthma Treatment / Asthma Medicines

Drug Name: Cortisone Acetate

Brand Name: Generic

Medicine Use: Quick-relief

Type of Medicine: Oral corticosteroid

Form: Tablet

Prescribing Info:

Possible Side Effects:
Weight gain/swelling
Muscle and bone weakness
Severe stomach pain and bloating
Skin changes
Neurological changes like seizures and headaches
Endocrine changes like slowed growth in children, diabetes, and menstrual changes
Vision problems


Cromolyn Sodium – Generic

Cromolyn Sodium – Generic

/ Asthma / Asthma Treatment / Asthma Medicines

Drug Name: Cromolyn Sodium

Brand Name: Generic of Intal

Medicine Use: Long-term control

Type of Medicine: Mast cell stabilizer

Form: Nebulizer solution

Prescribing Info:

Possible Side Effects:
Wheezing
Cough
Nasal congestion
Sneezing

Notes/Resources:
How to Correctly Use Your Asthma Devices – See Nebulizer Instructions


Dexamethasone – Generic

Dexamethasone – Generic

/ Asthma / Asthma Treatment / Asthma Medicines

Drug Name: Dexamethasone

Brand Name: Generic

Medicine Use: Quick-relief

Type of Medicine: Oral corticosteroid

Form: Tablet, Liquid

Prescribing Info: ​

Possible Side Effects:
Allergic reactions
Increased heart rate/pressure
Skin changes
Endocrine changes like diabetes and menstrual changes
Weight gain/swelling
Severe stomach pain and bloating
Appetite changes
Muscle and bone weakness
Neurological changes like headaches, mood swings, and trouble sleeping
Vision problems


References

Medical Review August 2018.

Asthma zones signs and symptoms

Asthma Care for Adults
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.