Medications are one of the most important ways to treat or prevent asthma symptoms. If your child has asthma, your healthcare provider has probably prescribed one or more medications. Get those asthma medications out, and read below to learn how they can help.

There are two types of asthma medications: "rescue" medications and "control" medications. Be sure to have and use the correct medications to "rescue" or "control" your child's asthma symptoms. An Asthma Action Plan filled out by your child's healthcare provider can help you know when and how much medication to use.

Print copies of our Asthma Action Plans, to discuss with your doctor:
Asthma Action Plan, ages 0 to 5
Asthma Action Plan, ages 6 and older

Asthma can get better or worse over the years, and your healthcare provider may need to change your child's asthma medications. Therefore, it is best to review your child's medications with your healthcare provider at each and every visit.

Rescue Medications

Rescue medications are taken at the FIRST sign of asthma symptoms, such as wheezing, coughing, chest tightness or shortness of breath. They work quickly to relax the muscles that tighten around the airways. This will help your child to breathe better right away.

These medications can be taken before exercise to prevent asthma symptoms

Oral corticosteroids can be used for a short time when symptoms are severe or symptoms are not responding to other rescue medications

Common names of rescue medications: Albuterol, Maxair®, Proventil®, Ventolin® or Xopenex®

Control Medications

Control medications are used every day to help keep asthma under control. These medications reduce the swelling (inflammation) in the lungs to prevent or reduce symptoms of asthma.

Your healthcare provider will tell you to use a control medication every day if your child:

Coughs, wheezes, or has chest tightness more than twice a week

Wakes up at night more than twice a month because of asthma

Uses a rescue medication every day to stop asthma symptoms

There are several types of control medications, including:

Inhaled corticosteroids (these are not the same as steroids abused by some athletes)

Leukotriene modifiers

Mast cell stabilizers

Long-acting bronchodilators

Common names of control medications: Azmacort®, Flovent®, Pulmicort®, Qvar®, Singulair®, Intal® or Advair®

Side Effects of Medications

Although medications can help your child feel better and stay well, it is important to know that all medications have some risks or unwanted side-effects. When used at recommended doses, asthma medications have very few side-effects.

You can help reduce the risk of side-effects by using a spacer device to deliver the medication. Brushing your child's teeth or rinsing your child's mouth and spitting after using an inhaler or nebulizer can also help.

If you have further questions about your child's asthma medications, how the medications work, how they are taken, or potential side-effects, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.