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.
As of June 1, 2024, AstraZeneca has capped inhaler prices at $35 for people who are commercially insured or uninsured. This includes AIRSUPRA® and SYMBICORT®. Uninsured? Use savings cards or the AZ&Me program for additional assistance. For more information, savings cards, and support, please visit: AstraZeneca US Patient Support.
As of June 1, 2024, Boehringer Ingelheim has capped inhaler prices at $35 for people who are commercially insured or uninsured. This includes Atrovent® HFA, Combivent® Respimat®, and Spiriva® Respimat® 1.25 mcg. For more information and support, please visit: inhaleroffer.com
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America does not endorse a particular medicine or product.
Omalizumab – XOLAIR
Omalizumab – XOLAIR
Drug Name: Omalizumab
Brand Name: XOLAIR®
Medicine Use: Add-on therapy/long-term control
Type of Medicine: Biologic
Form: Injection
Prescribing Info: XOLAIR (omalizumab) injection prescribing information insert
Notes: XOLAIR is a maintenance treatment for moderate-to-severe allergic asthma. XOLAIR is also approved for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis and chronic spontaneous urticaria (chronic hives).
Possible Side Effects:
Fever
Muscle aches
Joint pain
Dizziness
Tiredness (fatigue)
Bone fractures
Itching
Skin rash
Ear pain or discomfort
Headache
Nose, throat, or sinus swelling
Stomach pain
Throat infection
Ear infection
Nose bleeds
You may experience other side effects if you have chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps or chronic spontaneous urticaria. For more information, please see the XOLAIR prescribing information.
Prednisolone – Econopred
Prednisolone – Econopred
Drug Name: Prednisolone
Brand Name: Econopred®
Medicine Use: Quick-relief
Type of Medicine: Oral corticosteroid
Form: Dissolving tablet, Liquid
Prescribing Info:
Possible Side Effects:
Weight gain/swelling
Increased appetite
Behavioral and mood changes
Blood sugar changes
High blood pressure
Prednisolone – Generic
Prednisolone – Generic
Drug Name: Prednisolone
Brand Name: Generic
Medicine Use: Quick-relief
Type of Medicine: Oral corticosteroid
Form: Dissolving tablet, Liquid
Prescribing Info:
Possible Side Effects:
Weight gain/swelling
Increased appetite
Behavioral and mood changes
Blood sugar changes
High blood pressure
Prednisolone – Orapred ODT
Prednisolone – Orapred ODT
Drug Name: Prednisolone
Brand Name: Orapred ODT®
Medicine Use: Quick-relief
Type of Medicine: Oral corticosteroid
Form: Dissolving tablet, Liquid
Prescribing Info:
Possible Side Effects:
Weight gain/swelling
Increased appetite
Behavioral and mood changes
Blood sugar changes
High blood pressure
Prednisolone – Pediapred
Prednisolone – Pediapred
Drug Name: Prednisolone
Brand Name: Pediapred®
Medicine Use: Quick-relief
Type of Medicine: Oral corticosteroid
Form: Dissolving tablet, Liquid
Prescribing Info:
Possible Side Effects:
Weight gain/swelling
Increased appetite
Behavioral and mood changes
Blood sugar changes
High blood pressure
Prednisone – Generic
Prednisone – Generic
Drug Name: Prednisone
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
High or low blood pressure
Fainting
Skin changes
Endocrine changes like slowed growth in children, diabetes, and menstrual changes
Weight gain/swelling
Severe stomach pain and bloating
Appetite changes
Blood conditions like anemia or high white blood counts
Muscle and bone weakness
Neurological changes like headaches, mood changes, trouble concentrating, and dizziness
Vision problems
Reslizumab – CINQAIR
Reslizumab – CINQAIR
Drug Name: Reslizumab
Brand Name: CINQAIR®
Medicine Use: Add-on therapy/long-term control
Type of Medicine: Biologic
Form: IV Infusion
Note: CINQAIR is a maintenance treatment for severe eosinophilic asthma.
Prescribing Info: CINQAIR (reslizumab) injection prescribing information insert
Possible Side Effects:
Throat pain
Salmeterol Xinafoate – Serevent Diskus
Salmeterol Xinafoate – Serevent Diskus
Drug Name: Salmeterol Xinafoate
Brand Name: Serevent® Diskus®
Medicine Use: Add-on therapy/long-term control
Type of Medicine: Long-acting beta agonist
Form: Dry powder inhaler
Prescribing Info: https://gsksource.com/sereventdiskus
Notes:
SEREVENT DISKUS is only an add-on therapy for asthma that is not well-controlled by an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS). Serevent Diskus should not be taken on its own. It must be taken in combination with an ICS.
Possible Side Effects:
Headache
Nasal congestion
Throat irritation
Runny nose
Flu
Bronchitis
You may experience other side effects if you have COPD. For more information, please see the Severent Diskus prescribing information
Notes/Resources:
Instructions for Use
Learn more about salmeterol in pregnancy and while breastfeeding
Tezepelumab-ekko – TEZSPIRE
Tezepelumab-ekko – TEZSPIRE
Drug Name: Tezepelumab-ekko
Brand Name: TEZSPIRE®
Medicine Use: Add-on therapy/long-term control
Type of Medicine: Biologic
Form: Injection
Prescribing Info: TEZSPIRE (tezepelumab-ekko) injection prescribing information insert
Note: TEZSPIRE is currently the only biologic approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for severe asthma regardless of asthma phenotype (type of asthma).
Possible Side Effects:
Allergic reaction
Sore throat
Joint and back pain
Theophylline – Aminophylline
Theophylline – Aminophylline
Drug Name: Theophylline
Brand Name: Aminophylline
Medicine Use: Long-term control
Type of Medicine: Xanthine
Form: Tablet
Prescribing Info:
Possible Side Effects:
Nausea/vomiting
Headache
Insomnia
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.
