ASTHMA MEDICATIONS

Inhalers are the most common treatment of asthma. 

There are two main types of inhalers:

1) Quick relief medications:  Known as ‘rescue inhalers’, they quickly relax the airway muscles and ease the air flow, providing quick short-term relief. If these inhalers are used for more than two days a week, it is recommended to inform health care providers and re-evaluate asthma control.

2) Long-term control medications: Used to target airways’ inflammation processes and prevent symptoms from worsening, these maintenance medications are taken daily, even when there are no active asthma symptoms. Corticosteroids-based Inhalers (also inhaled corticosteroid inhalers) are combined with a long-acting beta agonist (LABA). 

Examples include:

  • ADVAIR & SYMBICORT TRELEGY ELLIPTA (dry powder inhalers)

3) Single Maintenance and Reliever Therapy (SMART): Combination of Quick Relief and Control inhalers as one inhaler.  This maintenance inhaler is used to control and prevent asthma symptoms.


Other Medications

These are medications added to the treatment plan if asthma symptoms are not well controlled when using standard treatment. These may include:

  • Long-Acting Muscarinic Antagonists (LAMAs). Used to prevent tight airways and relax the muscles.
  • Oral corticosteroids: Anti-inflammatory medications
  • Leukotriene Modifiers: Reduce chemicals that cause inflammation and excess mucus.

Biologics:   

Treatments for people whose asthma is not well controlled with standard inhalers.
Biologics target a specific cell or protein in the body that causes inflammation in the airways.
These are given by injections or intravenous infusion over several weeks.

Source:  Allergy and Asthma Network: https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/what-is-asthma/how-is-asthma-treated/

 

What if you can’t afford Asthma Medicines:

  1. Major manufacturers of asthma inhalers have capped asthma inhalers’ costs at $35
    • Astra Zeneca
    • Boehringer Ingelheim
    • GSK
    • Eligibility Criteria: Patients with commercial/private insurance or no insurance

     

  2. Know about the inhalers that are capped at $35.00/month: Click here:

     

  3. Other Low cost prescription programs: Click here:

Return to the Asthma main webpage.

This page was updated May 2025.