Asthma Info

Spasms in the bronchi of the lungs, leading to difficulty breathing.

What is Asthma?
1) Airway tube spasm / closing (bronchospasm) that is variable and reversible:
2) Inflammation (swelling / congestion) of those airway tubes:

Medications:

  • Reliever medications

    1) Bronchodilator (blue), rescue medication:

    • Names: Ventolin, Salbutamol, Airomir, Bricanyl

    • Reverses airway tube spasm, opens airway

    • Immediate relief

    • Does not treat underlying inflammation

    • Use when needed (cough, breathless, wheeze), or before exercise

    2) Long acting bronchodilator: 

    • Brand names: Oxeze (may be used as reliever), Servent (not to be used as reliever)

    • Used regularly in addition to inhaled steroid

    • Oxeze may be used when needed alone before exercise

    • Caution: If you need Oxeze frequently as a reliever, you should be on a preventer medication regularly

  • Controller medications

    1) Inhaled Steroid, decreases airway inflammation:

    • Brand names: Pulmicort (brown), Flovent (orange), QVAR (red), Alvesco (red), Asmanex (pink), Arnuity (orange / white)

    • Needs time to gradually decrease inflammation, therefor it must be taken regularly every day to work effectively

    • Prevents further symptoms from occurring

    2) Combined inhaled steroid + long acting bronchodilator:

    • Brand names: Symbicort (red), Advair (purple), Zenhale (blue), Breo (blue / white), Atectura (white)

    3) Triple Therapy (Inhaled steroid + long acting bronchodilator + long acting muscarinic antagonist (another bronchodilator)):

    • Enerzair (white / green), Trelegy (grey with beige top)

    4) Antileukotrienes (pill):

    • Brand names: Singlulair, Accolate

    • Useful in patients with asthma and hay-fever / nasal allergy symptoms, viral-inducted asthma (children), aspirin-induced asthma, and exercise induced asthma

    5) Biologic medication (subcutaneous injections) - not immunosuppressants (prescribed by specialist):

    • Omalizumab (Xolair) - Anti-IgE - Injections for moderate to severe allergic asthma (and Chronic Hives)

    • Mepolizumab (Nucala) - Injections for severe eosinophilic asthma

    • Benralizumab (Fasenra) - Anti-IL5R - Depletes blood eosinophils, used for eosinophilic asthma

    • Dupilumab (Dupixent) - Anti-IL4 - Injections for atopic type asthmatics

    • Tezepellumab (Tezspire) - Anti-TSLP - Has multiple anti-inflammatory effects, used for any moderate to severe asthma

Asthma Education - Click on the links below to learn more:
Asthma Action Plan - Inhaler (Puffer) Identification - Xolair Web Page