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

Fluticasone Propionate/Salmeterol – AirDuo Digihaler

Fluticasone Propionate/Salmeterol – AirDuo Digihaler

/ Asthma / Asthma Treatment / Asthma Medicines

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries will discontinue production of all Digihaler® products as of June 1st, 2024. Authorized generic versions of these inhalers may still be available for some products. For more information on alternatives, read the announcement.

Drug Name: Fluticasone Propionate/Salmeterol

Brand Name: AirDuo Digihaler®

Medicine Use: Long-term control

Type of Medicine: Combination inhaled medicine

Form: Dry powder inhaler

Prescribing Info: digihaler.com

Possible Side Effects:
Infection of nose and throat
Thrush
Back pain
Headache
Cough

Notes/Resources:
Instructions for Use

AirDuo Respiclick dry powder inhaler

Fluticasone Propionate/Salmeterol – AirDuo RespiClick

Fluticasone Propionate/Salmeterol – AirDuo RespiClick

/ Asthma / Asthma Treatment / Asthma Medicines

Drug Name: Fluticasone Propionate/Salmeterol

Brand Name: AirDuo RespiClick®

Medicine Use: Long-term control

Type of Medicine: Combination inhaled medicine

Form: Dry powder inhaler

Prescribing Info: http://myairduo.com

Possible Side Effects:
Infection of nose and throat
Thrush
Back pain
Headache
Cough

Notes/Resources:
Instructions for Use

AirDuo Respiclick dry powder inhaler

Fluticasone Propionate/Salmeterol – Generic for AirDuo RespiClick

Fluticasone Propionate/Salmeterol – Generic for AirDuo RespiClick

/ Asthma / Asthma Treatment / Asthma Medicines

Drug Name: Fluticasone Propionate/Salmeterol

Brand Name: Generic for AirDuo RespiClick®

Medicine Use: Long-term control

Type of Medicine: Combination inhaled medicine

Form: Dry powder inhaler

Prescribing Info: http://myairduo.com

Possible Side Effects:
Infection of nose and throat
Thrush
Back pain
Headache
Cough

AirDuo Respiclick dry powder inhaler

Fluticasone Propionate/Salmeterol – Wixela Inhub

Fluticasone Propionate/Salmeterol – Wixela Inhub

/ Asthma / Asthma Treatment / Asthma Medicines

Drug Name: Fluticasone Propionate/Salmeterol

Brand Name: Wixela Inhub®

Medicine Use: Long-term control

Type of Medicine: Combination inhaled medicine

Form: Dry powder inhaler

Prescribing Info: wixela.com

Possible Side Effects:
Upper respiratory tract infection
Throat irritation
Hoarseness and voice changes
Thrush
Bronchitis
Cough
Headache
Nausea and vomiting

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

*Do not use if you have a milk allergy

Notes/Resources:
Patient Resources

AirDuo Respiclick dry powder inhaler

Fluticasone/Salmeterol – ADVAIR Diskus

Fluticasone/Salmeterol – ADVAIR Diskus

/ Asthma / Asthma Treatment / Asthma Medicines

Drug Name: Fluticasone/Salmeterol

Brand Name: ADVAIR® Diskus®

Medicine Use: Long-term control

Type of Medicine: Combination inhaled medicine

Form: Dry powder inhaler

Prescribing Info: http://www.advair.com/

Possible Side Effects:
Upper respiratory tract infection
Throat irritation
Hoarseness and voice changes
Thrush
Bronchitis
Cough
Headache
Nausea and vomiting

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

Notes/Resources:
Instructions for Use

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.

Advair diskus dry powder inhaler

Fluticasone/Salmeterol – ADVAIR HFA

Fluticasone/Salmeterol – ADVAIR HFA

/ Asthma / Asthma Treatment / Asthma Medicines

Drug Name: Fluticasone/Salmeterol

Brand Name: ADVAIR® HFA

Medicine Use: Long-term control

Type of Medicine: Combination inhaled medicine

Form: Metered dose inhaler

Prescribing Info: http://www.advair.com/

Possible Side Effects:
Upper respiratory tract infection
Throat irritation
Hoarseness and voice changes
Thrush
Headache
Dizziness
Nausea and vomiting

Notes/Resources:
Instructions for Use

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.

Advair HFA metered dose inhaler

Hydrocortisone – Cortef

Hydrocortisone – Cortef

/ Asthma / Asthma Treatment / Asthma Medicines

Drug Name: Hydrocortisone

Brand Name: Cortef®

Medicine Use: Quick-relief

Type of Medicine: Oral corticosteroids

Form: Tablet, Liquid

Prescribing Info: pfizer.com

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
Blood and lymphatic system disorders, like high white blood cell count


Hydrocortisone – Generic

Hydrocortisone – Generic

/ Asthma / Asthma Treatment / Asthma Medicines

Drug Name: Hydrocortisone

Brand Name: Generic

Medicine Use: Quick-relief

Type of Medicine: Oral corticosteroid

Form: Tablet, Liquid

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
Blood and lymphatic system disorders, like high white blood cell count


Ipratropium Bromide – ATROVENT HFA

Ipratropium Bromide – ATROVENT HFA

/ Asthma / Asthma Treatment / Asthma Medicines

Drug Name: Ipratropium Bromide

Brand Name: ATROVENT® HFA

Medicine Use: Quick-relief

Type of Medicine: Anticholinergic

Form: Metered dose inhaler

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

Possible Side Effects:
Bronchitis
Shortness of breath
Headache

Notes/Resources:
Instructions for Use

As of June 1, 2024, Boehringer Ingelheim 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:

  • If you have commercial insurance and are eligible, the reduced out-of-pocket cost will be automatically applied at participating retail pharmacies. More than 90% of pharmacies across the country are participating in the program, making the change seamless and automatic for most people. There are no forms to fill out or websites to go to – the discount happens electronically with no action required.
  • All other eligible people, including those whose pharmacies do not participate and people without insurance, can visit www.InhalerOffer.com to enroll for a savings card to present at pharmacies to receive the same $35 cap of out-of-pocket costs.
  • Federal law prevents people on government insurance programs (Medicare/Medicaid/TriCare) from being eligible for this price cap program.
Spriva Respimat Inhaler

Ipratropium Bromide/Albuterol Sulfate – COMBIVENT Respimat

Ipratropium Bromide/Albuterol Sulfate – COMBIVENT Respimat

/ Asthma / Asthma Treatment / Asthma Medicines

Drug Name: Ipratropium Bromide/Albuterol Sulfate

Brand Name: COMBIVENT® Respimat®

Medicine Use: Quick-relief

Type of Medicine: Combination inhaled-medicine

Form: Soft mist inhaler

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

Possible Side Effects:
Infections of the ears, nose and throat
Runny nose
Cough
Bronchitis
Headache
Shortness of breath

Notes/Resources:
Instructions for Use

As of June 1, 2024, Boehringer Ingelheim 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:

  • If you have commercial insurance and are eligible, the reduced out-of-pocket cost will be automatically applied at participating retail pharmacies. More than 90% of pharmacies across the country are participating in the program, making the change seamless and automatic for most people. There are no forms to fill out or websites to go to – the discount happens electronically with no action required.
  • All other eligible people, including those whose pharmacies do not participate and people without insurance, can visit www.InhalerOffer.com to enroll for a savings card to present at pharmacies to receive the same $35 cap of out-of-pocket costs.
  • Federal law prevents people on government insurance programs (Medicare/Medicaid/TriCare) from being eligible for this price cap program.
Combivent Respimat Inhaler

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.