- Home ↓
- School Staff ↓
- Students and Families ↓
- Respiratory Therapists
- Resources ↓
Asthma Management Guide
Long Term Controller Medications
Inhaled Corticosteriods
- Control and prevent asthma symptoms
- Make airways less sensitive to triggers and prevent inflammation that leads to an acute asthma episode
- These medications are taken every day, usually on a long-term basis, to control persistent asthma.
- Do not use during an asthma episode.
Long-acting beta-2 agonists (LABAs)
These medications are part of a group of medications called bronchodilators, which open up constricted airways.
- Long-acting beta-2 agonists, such as salmeterol (Serevent Diskus) and formoterol (Foradil Aerolizer) last at least 12 hours. They're used to control moderate and severe asthma and to prevent nighttime symptoms.
- Salmeterol or formoterol should always be used in combination with an inhaled corticosteroid and should not be used as the main treatment for asthma.
Types of Long Term Controller Medications
Brand names are listed as examples only, and are not inclusive.
Inhaled corticosteroids (preferred therapy for persistent asthma).
- Aerobid®, Alvesco®, Azmacort®, Beclovent®, Flovent®, Pulmicort®, Pulmicort Respules® (only nebulized form), QVAR®, Vanceril®.
Long acting bronchodilators
- Serevent®, Foradil®
Combination inhaled corticosteroids/long-acting bronchodilator
- Advair®, Symbicort®
Leukotriene modifiers (pill only, not an inhaler)
- Accolate®, Singulair®
Inhaled nonsteroid anti-inflammatory medications
- Intal®, Tilade®
Injectable anti IGe agents
- Xolair ®
Leukotriene modifiers
These drugs reduce the production or block the action of leukotrienes—substances released by cells in the lungs during an asthma episode. Leukotrienes cause the lining of the airways to become inflamed, which in turn leads to wheezing, shortness of breath and mucus production. Leukotriene modifiers include montelukast (Singulair) and zafirlukast (Accolate).
Used in conjunction with other medications—such as inhaled corticosteroids—leukotriene modifiers may help prevent more episodes. Although generally not as effective as inhaled corticosteroids, leukotriene modifiers are an option if you have mild asthma—you should consult with your physician.