Asthma
Inhalers and other medications used to control and prevent asthma symptoms.
What is Asthma?
Asthma is a chronic lung disease that affects your airways, the tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs. When you have asthma, your airways can become inflamed and narrowed, leading to symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, and tightness in your chest. An asthma attack occurs when these symptoms worsen.
Symptoms of Asthma
Common symptoms of asthma include chest tightness, coughing (especially at night or early morning), shortness of breath, and wheezing, which produces a whistling sound when you breathe out. These symptoms can vary in severity and frequency.
Causes and Types of Asthma
The exact cause of asthma is not known, but genetics and environmental factors likely play a role. Asthma can be triggered by allergens, such as dust mites, mold, and pollen, or by non-allergic triggers like cold air, certain medicines, and tobacco smoke. There are different types of asthma, including allergic asthma, non-allergic asthma, occupational asthma, and exercise-induced asthma.
Why Asthma Matters
If asthma is left untreated, it can lead to more severe symptoms and frequent asthma attacks, which may become life-threatening. Managing asthma is important to maintain a good quality of life.
How Asthma is Treated
Treatment for asthma typically involves creating a plan with your healthcare provider. This plan may include strategies to avoid triggers, short-term relief medicines for immediate symptoms, and control medicines taken daily to prevent symptoms. In severe cases, additional procedures may be considered.
When to See a Doctor
You should see a doctor if you experience worsening asthma symptoms or if your short-term relief medicines do not work during an attack.
Medications used to treat Asthma
Several classes of medication treat asthma. Which is right depends on your health — that is a decision for you and your provider. Compare prices and coupons on any of them:
Rx Plus watches all your medications across 60,000+ pharmacies and alerts you when any of them drop in price.
Start trackingA free Rx.com coupon lets you compare cash prices at more than 60,000 US pharmacies and pay the lowest one — no insurance or signup needed. See the full medication list below.
Frequently asked questions
What are the common symptoms of asthma?
Common symptoms of asthma include chest tightness, coughing (especially at night or early morning), shortness of breath, and wheezing.
What can trigger an asthma attack?
Asthma attacks can be triggered by allergens like dust mites and pollen, or non-allergic triggers such as cold air and tobacco smoke.
Who is at risk for developing asthma?
Asthma can affect people of all ages, but certain factors increase the risk, including family history, exposure to secondhand smoke, and having other conditions like obesity.
How is asthma diagnosed?
Asthma is diagnosed through a physical exam, medical history, lung function tests, and possibly allergy tests.
What should I do if my asthma symptoms worsen?
If your asthma symptoms worsen or if your short-term relief medicines do not work, you should seek emergency care.
Compare prices for asthma medications
41 medications — select one to compare prices and coupons.
- Albuterol Sulfate
- Albuterol Sulfate Hfa
- Aminophylline
- Aminophylline Anhydrous
- Cromolyn Sodium
- Ephedrine Sulfate Pressors
- Flunisolide
- Formoterol Fumarate
- Hydrocortisone
- Hydrocortisone Ace Pramoxine
- Hydrocortisone Acetate
- Hydrocortisone Acetic Acid
- Hydrocortisone Butyrate
- Hydrocortisone Iodoquinol
- Hydrocortisone Micronized
- Hydrocortisone Perianal
- Hydrocortisone Valerate
- Metaproterenol Sulfate
- Methylprednisolone
- Methylprednisolone Acetate
- Methylprednisolone Sodium Succ
- Montelukast Sodium
- Prednisolone
- Prednisolone Acet Moxifloxacin
- Prednisolone Acetate
- Prednisolone Acetate Nepafenac
- Prednisolone Anhydrous
- Prednisolone Bromfenac
- Prednisolone Gatifloxacin
- Prednisolone Moxifloxacin
- Prednisolone Sodium Phosphate
- Prednisone
- Prednisone Intensol
- Pseudoephedrine Guaifenesin Er
- Pseudoephedrine Hcl
- Pseudoephedrine Hcl Er
- Terbutaline Sulfate
- Theophylline
- Theophylline Er
- Zafirlukast
- Zileuton Er
Learn more about asthma
-
Prednisone for Pain: How It Works, Side Effects, and Safe Tapering
Prednisone can quiet severe pain fast, but weight gain, mood swings, and insomnia are common. This 11-minute guide explains how th...
-
Is a 3-Day, 20 mg Prednisolone Burst Safe for a Rheumatoid Arthritis Flare?
A short 3-day course of 20 mg prednisolone can quickly calm a rheumatoid arthritis flare, but even brief steroid bursts carry risk...
Condition information adapted from MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Medication list sourced from RxClass (MED-RT, U.S. National Library of Medicine). Inclusion does not imply a medication is right for you.
Medical disclaimer: This information is provided for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a licensed physician, pharmacist, or other qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.