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.

Note: “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 62 Results

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:

Possible Side Effects:
Vision problems
Weight gain/swelling
Bloody or tarry stools
Coughing up blood
Increased heart rate
Severe stomach pain
Increased heart rate/pressure


Hydrocortisone – Generic

Hydrocortisone – Generic

/ Asthma / Asthma Treatment / Asthma Medicines

Drug Name: Hydrocortisone

Brand Name: Generic

Medicine Use: Quick-relief

Type of Medicine: Oral corticosteroids

Form: Tablet, Liquid

Prescribing Info:

Possible Side Effects:
Vision problems
Weight gain/swelling
Bloody or tarry stools
Coughing up blood
Increased heart rate
Severe stomach pain
Increased heart rate/pressure


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: Anticholinergics

Form: Metered dose inhaler

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

Possible Side Effects:
Bronchitis
Shortness of breath
Headache


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 medicines

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

Combivent Respimat Inhaler

Ipratropium Bromide/Albuterol Sulfate – DuoNeb

Ipratropium Bromide/Albuterol Sulfate – DuoNeb

/ Asthma / Asthma Treatment / Asthma Medicines

Drug Name: Ipratropium Bromide/Albuterol Sulfate

Brand Name: DuoNeb®

Medicine Use: Quick-relief

Type of Medicine: Combination inhaled medicines

Form: Nebulizer solution

Prescribing Info: viatris.com

Possible Side Effects:
Headache
Dizziness
Nausea
Dry mouth
Shaking (tremors)
Nervousness
Constipation


Levalbuterol HCl – Generic

Levalbuterol HCl – Generic

/ Asthma / Asthma Treatment / Asthma Medicines

Drug Name: Levalbuterol HCl

Brand Name: Generic

Medicine Use: Quick-relief

Type of Medicine: Short-acting beta agonists

Form: Metered dose inhaler

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

Possible Side Effects:
Itching/hives
Irregular or rapid heartbeat
Nervousness
Muscle tremors

Xopenex Inhaler

Levalbuterol HCl – Xopenex HFA

Levalbuterol HCl – Xopenex HFA

/ Asthma / Asthma Treatment / Asthma Medicines

Drug Name: Levalbuterol HCl

Brand Name: Xopenex HFA®

Medicine Use: Quick-relief

Type of Medicine: Short-acting beta agonists

Form: Metered dose inhaler

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

Possible Side Effects:
Itching/hives
Irregular or rapid heartbeat
Nervousness
Muscle tremors

Xopenex Inhaler

Mepolizumab – NUCALA

Mepolizumab – NUCALA

/ Asthma / Asthma Treatment / Asthma Medicines

Drug Name: Mepolizumab

Brand Name: NUCALA®

Medicine Use: Long-term control

Type of Medicine: Biologics

Form: Injection

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

Possible Side Effects:
Headache
Injection site reactions
Back pain
Tiredness (fatigue)


Methylprednisolone – Generic

Methylprednisolone – Generic

/ Asthma / Asthma Treatment / Asthma Medicines

Drug Name: Methylprednisolone

Brand Name: Generic

Medicine Use: Quick-relief

Type of Medicine: Oral corticosteroids

Form: Tablet

Prescribing Info:

Possible Side Effects:
Itching/hives
Increased appetite
Nausea/vomiting
Weight gain/swelling
Moodiness
Skin color changes
Decrease in urine
Shortness of breath


Methylprednisolone – Medrol

Methylprednisolone – Medrol

/ Asthma / Asthma Treatment / Asthma Medicines

Drug Name: Methylprednisolone

Brand Name: Medrol®

Medicine Use: Quick-relief

Type of Medicine: Oral corticosteroids

Form: Tablet

Prescribing Info: https://www.pfizer.com/products/product-detail/medrol

Possible Side Effects:
Itching/hives
Increased appetite
Nausea/vomiting
Weight gain/swelling
Moodiness
Skin color changes
Decrease in urine
Shortness of breath


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.