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.
Beclomethasone Dipropionate – QVAR RediHaler
Beclomethasone Dipropionate – QVAR RediHaler
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
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.
Budesonide – Pulmicort Flexhaler
Budesonide – Pulmicort Flexhaler
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
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
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
Budesonide/Formoterol – Breyna
Budesonide/Formoterol – Breyna
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
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 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
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
Notes/Resources:
How To Use Alvesco
Cortisone Acetate – Generic
Cortisone Acetate – Generic
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
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
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.
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.