Asthma medications come in different forms:
Solutions to be inhaled as a mist from a hand-held inhaler (metered dose inhaler or puffer, often used with a spacer device), or from a nebuliser driven by a pump.
Dry powders to be inhaled from a hand held inhaler (spinhaler or rotahaler).
Liquids, tablets or sprinkles to be swallowed. Combinations of medicines are often necessary.
Inhaled medicines are far more effective than those swallowed. More of the drug reaches the lungs, where it acts on the airways, and very little reaches the bloodstream. Medicines taken by mouth are absorbed into the bloodstream and may sometimes cause unwanted side effects such as a fast heart rate or irritability. Most children over the age of 3 years can be taught to use a spacer or inhaler of some kind. Younger children can use an asthma pump ( these are also used in older children).
Asthma medications can be divided into treaters and preventers. Some children take both these classes of medication. Your doctor will advise the most appropriate medications for your child to take.
Drugs used to treat the symptoms of asthma fall into several groups:
Beta-2 agonists such as salbutamol (Ventolin, Respolin), terbutaline (Bricanyl), fen-oterol (Berotec) These are the most commonly used drugs for the treatment of acute symptoms of asthma.
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