Asthma and Allergies | How-Tos | Questions | News | Classes | Ordering | About the Centre | Links Asthma Medicines Also in this Section: What is Asthma? Managing an Asthma Attack Working With Your Doctor Towards Asthma Control Care After a Hospital Stay Asthma and Children Under 3 Animal Allergies Smoking Molds Dust Mites Hay Fever Inhaled Steroids Asthma and Exercise Asthma and the Internet Asthma and Camp Asthma and School Asthma and Vacation The Peak Flow Meter Asthma Action Plan Asthma Diary Asthma Diary for Children Under 3 Questions? Contact us Things I should know about my asthma medicine Why it is being used How it works What results to expect How often it should be used How long it should be used Correct use of inhaler Problems if used with other medicines Possible side effects Cost Goals for medicine use in asthma To control asthma symptoms To use the least amount of medicine To use the Reliever medicine less than 4 times per week for symptoms To have no serious side effects How to plan for an asthma-free vacation What kinds of medicines are used to treat asthma? There are two main types of asthma medicines: Controllers Relievers Not every child needs both types of asthma medicines. Controller Medicines Controllers are also called Preventers. Controllers work to help prevent swelling (inflammation) and mucous inside the airways. Controllers work slowly over a few days and must be used every day. Controllers may be started or increased during an asthma attack Reliever Medicines Relievers relax the muscles around the outside of the airways. Relievers do not work on the swelling inside of the airways. They relieve asthma symptoms (cough, wheeze, shortness of breath and chest tightness). Relievers should improve your symptoms within 10 minutes after use. Relievers can be used 10-15 minutes before exercise to prevent symptoms if exercise is an asthma trigger. Speak to your doctor if the Reliever medicine is needed for symptoms more than 3 times a week or at night. This means asthma is NOT controlled. What happens to the airways when asthma is out of control? Muscles are tight on the outside Insides are swollen and full of mucous What happens to the airways when asthma is under good control? Muscles are relaxed on the outside Insides are healthy and open Asthma Allie Says: Take your medicine as you have been taught. Keep your Reliever medicine with you at all times. Keep track of how much medicine you have and when you need a refill. Talk to your teachers and other caregivers about your asthma and your asthma medicines. Each time you change medicine keep track of your asthma symptoms. Let your doctor know how your asthma has been since starting the new medicine. If the Reliever medicine does not begin to work in 10 minutes take another dose. If the medicine is still not working after another 10 minutes go to the local emergency room. If you need your Reliever medicine more than every three hours go to your local emergency room. For chronic asthma symptoms, the regular use of a controller medicine is the best way to keep your asthma in control. Control your asthma properly by making informed decisions. © 2004 The Children's Asthma Education Centre. No part of this document may be copied (either mechanically or electronically), altered or stored on any mechanical or electronic database without the prior written consent of The Children's Asthma Education Centre, a non-profit educational resource. This pamphlet is for information only and is not meant to replace physician advice.