Asthma medicines
You and your child should know the name of each medicine your child is taking. Each person’s asthma is different and medicines that help one person may not help another. Always use medicines in the amount and method prescribed. Always make sure you have enough medicines on hand.
Quick acting inhaled bronchodilators (rescue or reliever medicines) Brand name Generic name Things to know Side effects
pirbuterol • Opens airways by relaxing the muscles
• Shaky hands, “hyper” feeling, fast
• Should be used first if other inhalers are
• Side effects usually only last a short
• Try to wait 1 minute between puffs to let
• Call doctor if the side effects are too
• These medicines start working in about 5
Long-acting inhaled bronchodilators (controllers) Brand name Generic name Things to know Side effects
• Opens airways by relaxing muscles
• Take about 12 hours apart. Do not take
• Never use to relieve symptoms. • Should also be on an inhaled corticosteroid Inhaled corticosteroids (controllers) Brand name Generic name Things to know Side effects
triamcinolone • Prevents swelling, inflammation, and
• Possible thrush; rinse mouth and spit
mometasone • Continue using this medicine every day to
• Must be used with a spacer (except if
Do not stop taking this medicine until the
Inhaled corticosteroid / Long-acting bronchodilator combinations (controllers) Brand name Generic name Things to know Side effects
• Prevents swelling, inflammation, and
• Possible thrush; rinse mouth and spit
• Opens airways by relaxing muscles around
and formoterol • Take every day to prevent episodes.
• Do not stop taking this medicine until the
• Never use it to relieve symptoms. • Take doses about 12 hours apart. • Do not take more than twice a day.
Inhaled anti-inflammatory medicines (controllers) Brand name Generic name Things to know Side effects
cromolyn • Prevents inflammation by stabilizing cells • Side effects are very rare.
that line the airway; blocks the reaction to
• Take every day to prevent episodes. • Do not take more than 4 times daily. • Do not stop taking this medicine until your Leukotriene receptor antagonist (controller) Brand name Generic name Things to know Side effects
montelukast • Prevents swelling, inflammation, and
• Call the doctor if flu-like symptoms
• Take every day to prevent episodes.
• Do not stop taking this medicine until your
Oral corticosteroids Brand name Generic name Things to know Side effects
prednisolone • Decreases swelling, inflammation, and
• Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor
Questions? This sheet is not specific to your child, but provides general information. If you have any questions, please call the clinic or pharmacy.
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Asthma medicines 
Inhaled corticosteroid / Long-acting bronchodilator combinations (controllers)