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.
Ipratropium Bromide/Albuterol Sulfate – DuoNeb
Ipratropium Bromide/Albuterol Sulfate – DuoNeb
Drug Name: Ipratropium Bromide/Albuterol Sulfate
Brand Name: DuoNeb®
Medicine Use: Quick-relief
Type of Medicine: Combination inhaled medicine
Form: Nebulizer solution
Prescribing Info: viatris.com
Possible Side Effects:
Lung disease
Sore throat
Chest pain
Diarrhea
Bronchitis
Urinary tract infection
Leg cramps
Nausea
Constipation
Upset stomach
Voice changes
Pain
Levalbuterol HCl – Generic
Levalbuterol HCl – Generic
Drug Name: Levalbuterol HCl
Brand Name: Generic of Xopenex HFA
Medicine Use: Quick-relief
Type of Medicine: Short-acting beta agonist
Form: Metered dose inhaler
Prescribing Info: http://www.xopenex.com/
Possible Side Effects:
Accidental injury
Bronchitis
Dizziness
Pain
Sore throat
Runny nose
Vomiting
Palpitations
Chest pain
Fast heartrate
Nervousness
Muscle tremors
Notes/Resources:
Instructions for Use
Levalbuterol HCl – Xopenex HFA
Levalbuterol HCl – Xopenex HFA
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:
Accidental injury
Bronchitis
Dizziness
Pain
Sore throat
Runny nose
Vomiting
Palpitations
Chest pain
Fast heartrate
Nervousness
Muscle tremors
Mepolizumab – NUCALA
Mepolizumab – NUCALA
Drug Name: Mepolizumab
Brand Name: NUCALA®
Medicine Use: Add-on therapy/long-term control
Type of Medicine: Biologic
Form: Injection
Prescribing Info: NUCALA (mepolizumab) injection prescribing information insert
Notes: NUCALA is a maintenance treatment for severe eosinophilic asthma. NUCALA is also approved for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, and hypereosinophilic syndrome.
Possible Side Effects:
Headache
Injection site reactions (pain, redness, swelling, itching, or a burning feeling at the injection site)
Back pain
Tiredness (fatigue)
Notes/Resources:
Learn more about Mepolizumab in pregnancy and while breastfeeding
Methylprednisolone – Generic
Methylprednisolone – Generic
Drug Name: Methylprednisolone
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 vertigo
Endocrine changes like slowed growth in children, diabetes, menstrual changes, and nausea
Vision problems
Methylprednisolone – Medrol
Methylprednisolone – Medrol
Drug Name: Methylprednisolone
Brand Name: Medrol®
Medicine Use: Quick-relief
Type of Medicine: Oral corticosteroid
Form: Tablet
Prescribing Info: https://www.pfizer.com
Possible Side Effects:
Weight gain/swelling
Muscle and bone weakness
Severe stomach pain and bloating
Skin changes
Neurological changes like seizures and vertigo
Endocrine changes like slowed growth in children, diabetes, menstrual changes, and nausea
Vision problems
Mometasone – Asmanex Twisthaler
Mometasone – Asmanex Twisthaler
Drug Name: Mometasone
Brand Name: Asmanex® Twisthaler®
Medicine Use: Long-term control
Type of Medicine: Inhaled corticosteroid
Form: Dry powder inhaler
Prescribing Info: https://www.asmanex.com/
Possible Side Effects:
Headache
Nasal allergy symptoms
Sore throat
Upper respiratory infection
Sinus infection
Thrush
Painful menstrual periods
Muscle and bone pain
Back pain
Upset stomach
Notes/Resources:
Instructions for Use
Mometasone Furoate – Asmanex HFA
Mometasone Furoate – Asmanex HFA
Drug Name: Mometasone Furoate
Brand Name: Asmanex® HFA
Medicine Use: Long-term control
Type of Medicine: Inhaled corticosteroid
Form: Metered dose inhaler
Prescribing Info: https://www.asmanex.com/
Possible Side Effects:
Inflammation of the nose and throat
Headache
Inflammation of the sinuses
Bronchitis
Flu
Notes/Resources:
Instructions for Use
Mometasone/Formoterol – Dulera
Mometasone/Formoterol – Dulera
Drug Name: Mometasone/Formoterol
Brand Name: Dulera®
Medicine Use: Long-term control, quick-relief, or both
Type of Medicine: Combination inhaled medicine
Form: Metered dose inhaler
Prescribing Info: https://www.dulera.com/
Possible Side Effects:
Nose/throat inflammation
Sinus inflammation
Headache
Flu
Upper respiratory infection
Notes/Resources:
How to Use Dulera
Note: 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. NAs 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 Mometasone/Formoterol in a stepwise approach for asthma management (2020 Focused Updates to the Asthma Management Guidelines).
Montelukast – Singulair
Montelukast – Singulair
Drug Name: Montelukast
Brand Name: Singulair®
Medicine Use: Long-term control
Type of Medicine: Leukotriene modifiers
Form: Tablet, Chewable, Granules
Possible Side Effects:
Upper respiratory infection
Fever
Headache
Sore throat
Cough
Stomach pain
Diarrhea
Earache or ear infection
Flu
Runny nose
Sinus infection
Behavior or mood changes
Note: Montelukast (brand name SINGULAIR®) can cause serious side effects, like behavior and mood related changes. Montelukast has a black box warning. This is a safety warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This means you need to be aware of a drug’s side effects or important instructions for safe use of the drug. We encourage you to speak with your health care provider before, during, and after the start of any new medicine. If your doctor recommends montelukast, talk with them about possible risks and concerns.
What is the most important information I should know about SINGULAIR?
Serious mental health problems have happened in people taking SINGULAIR or even after treatment has stopped. This can happen in people with or without a history of mental health problems. Stop taking SINGULAIR and tell your healthcare provider right away if you or your child have any unusual changes in behavior or thinking, including any of these symptoms:
Agitation, including aggressive behavior or hostility
Attention problems
Bad or vivid dreams
Depression
Disorientation (confusion)
Feeling anxious
Irritability
Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not really there)
Memory problems
Obsessive-compulsive symptoms
Restlessness
Sleepwalking
Stuttering
Notes/Resources:
Singulair Medication Guide
Learn more about Montelukast use during pregnancy and lactation
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.