Medication does not cure asthma. However, it is an important part of managing the condition. Medications for asthma treatment are used to:

• Prevent and control the underlying airway inflammation to minimize long-term lung damage.
• Decrease the severity, frequency, and duration of asthma attacks.
• Treat the attacks as they occur.

asthma medications are divided into two groups: those for prevention and long-term control of inflammation and those that provide quick relief for asthma attacks. Most children with persistent asthma need to use long-term medications daily. Quick-relief medications are used as needed and provide rapid relief of symptoms during asthma attacks.

Because asthma develops from a complex interaction of genetics, environmental factors, and the reaction of the immune system, different medications and doses of medications may be used. Special consideration may be necessary before and during exercise and before surgery.

Medication delivery

Most medications for asthma are inhaled. Inhaled medications are used because a specific dose of the medication can be given directly to the bronchial tubes. Different types of delivery systems may be used to do this, and one type may be more suitable for certain people or age groups than another. Delivery systems include metered-dose and dry powder inhalers and nebulizers. A metered-dose inhaler is used most often.

Many health professionals recommend that every child who uses a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) also use a spacer, which is attached to the MDI. A spacer may deliver the medication to your child's lungs better than an inhaler alone, and for many people is easier to use than an MDI alone. Using a spacer with inhaled corticosteroids can help reduce their side effects and result in less use of oral corticosteroids.

If your child is younger than 3, he or she may not be able to use an MDI alone but, with assistance, may be able to use an MDI with a mask spacer. Most school-age children can use an MDI. If your child is having difficulty using an MDI with a spacer, he or she can use a nebulizer. Work with your health professional to find the best delivery system for your child.

It is important to keep track of the inhaler doses and discard the inhaler when your child has used the number of doses shown on the package label. This not only prevents your child from having an empty inhaler when he or she might need medicine, but it also prevents your child from inhaling only propellant after the medicine has run out. Some newer inhalers have built-in counters to keep track of doses left. For more information on using an inhaler, see:

 Using a metered-dose inhaler.

 Helping your child use a metered-dose inhaler with a mask spacer.

 Using a dry powder inhaler.

Medication choices