Asthma drugs focus on rapid relief, like opening airways during an acute episode or “attack”. Others are long-term medications that reduce inflammation and prevent future episodes.
Medically reviewed by Jennie Olopaade, PharmD, RPH
Asthma medications include those that you can buy over the counter (OTC), such as epinephrine, and drugs that doctors prescribe, such as the inhaled medication, albuterol.
Treatment aims
Mayur Kakade/Getty Images
Asthma medication works to address symptoms and provide fast relief and long-term management.
Asthma is a chronic condition making breathing difficult. It’s an inflammatory disease in which your airways swell, and narrow, making it difficult for air to reach your lungs. Symptoms include coughing, tightness in the chest, and shortness of breath.
The treatment plan for asthma depends on your triggers and the severity of your symptoms.
If you need help covering the cost of medications, the free Optum Perks Discount Card could help you save up to 80% on prescription drugs. Follow the links on drug names for savings on that medication, or search for a specific drug here.
Free prescription coupons
Seriously … free. Explore prices that beat the competition 70% of the time.
Quick-relief medications: These drugs immediately treat asthma symptoms to provide rapid relief and are usually inhaled. The drugs include bronchodilators, such as albuterol, and oral steroids. Other quick-relief asthma drugs include short-acting beta-agonists and anticholinergics.
Long-term control medications: These medications aim to reduce inflammation and constriction in the airways. The drugs, which you take on a regular basis, include anti-inflammatory drugs, like fluticasone, and others including:
Depending on what triggers your asthma, medications to help relieve symptoms and manage the condition can also include:
antibiotics and antivirals
medications to treat severe asthma
combination medications
biologics
Doctors can prescribe asthma medications, or you can buy them over the counter. Asthma drugs come in several forms, such as oral tablets, injections, liquids, and inhalers.
You can take some of these medications through an inhaler or a nebulizer.
Albuterol
Albuterol is a type of bronchodilator known as a short-acting beta agonist. It relaxes the muscles around your airways, helping you breathe. It is inhalable to ensure the medication reaches your airways as quickly as possible.
Albuterol is available by prescription only. It’s sold under the brand names ProAir and Ventolin.
Albuterol can also cause more serious side effects, like an increased heart rate and breathing difficulties. If you experience these symptoms, contact your doctor or healthcare professional as soon as possible.
Montelukast sodium
Montelukast sodium is an anti-inflammatory drug. It is a leukotriene modifier. It is a long-term control asthma medication and is available by prescription only.
The drug helps manage asthma symptoms by blocking leukotrienes that cause air passages to constrict.
Montelukast sodium has the brand name Singulair and comes in tablet form.
Side effects
In 2020, the FDA issued a boxed warning that Singulair may cause serious side effects relating to mental health. These include:
anxiety
agitation
irritability
depression
suicidal thoughts
Other side effects may include:
muscle pain
headache
stomach pain
coughing
running nose
fever
Mometasone and formoterol
Mometasone, a corticosteroid, and formoterol, a LABA, make up a combination asthma drug often sold under the brand name Dulera. It helps relax airway muscles when inhaled.
Doctors prescribe LABAs with corticosteroids because, when taken on their own, they can increase your risk of severe asthma episodes.
Side effects
Dulera may cause side effects, which include:
headache
common cold
sinus infection
oral thrush
hyperglycemia
allergic reactions
Fluticasone
Fluticasone is an inhaled corticosteroid that helps reduce inflammation. Also known as fluticasone propionate, it’s sold under the brand name Flovent HFA. It is prescription-only.
Fluticasone propionate may interact with other drugs. Be sure to talk with your doctor about other medications you’re taking.
Side effects
Fluticasone may cause some side effects, including:
sinusitis
headaches
throat irritation
inflammation
coughs
bronchitis
Prednisone
Prednisone is an oral, prescription-only corticosteroid that helps reduce inflammation in your airways. There are two brand-name versions of the drug. Rayos is a tablet, and Prednisone Intensol is a liquid.
Side effects
The side effects of prednisone in both oral tablet and liquid form include:
insomnia
weight gain
indigestion
excessive sweating
mild changes in mood
You may sometimes experience more serious side effects, including:
confusion
high body temperature
breathlessness
swelling of your limbs
vision problems
agitation
blurred vision
changes in behavior
If you experience these side effects, be sure to contact your doctor or healthcare professional.
OTC asthma medications
Some asthma medications don’t require a prescription. However, you should still speak with your doctor before considering using an OTC medication.
Asthma medications aim to address symptoms, including coughing, shortness of breath, and tightness in the chest.
Asthma drugs are classified as quick-relief or long-term control and include bronchodilators, like albuterol, and leukotriene modifiers, like montelukast sodium.
Your treatment plan will depend on your asthma triggers and symptoms, and their severity.
Asthma drugs come in inhalable form, sprays, liquids, or tables. Most require a prescription but some are over-the-counter.
Asthma medications can have side effects, some severe. Be sure to contact your doctor if you experience adverse effects, such as rapid heart rate, breathlessness, or changes in mood.
Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on some prescription medications.
Karaca-Mandic P, et al. (2012). Out-of-pocket medication costs, medication utilization, and use of healthcare services among children with asthma. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3754900/
