Get the most benefit from your asthma medication
Do frequent asthma attacks have you constantly reaching for your relief inhaler? You may not know when or where your next asthma attack will happen, but by using your asthma medications correctly, you can spend less time reaching for the “panic button” and more time enjoying life.
Your reliever inhaler contains medicine to treat asthma symptoms when they occur. Your asthma controller medication contains steroids that make your airways less sensitive. Controller medication works slowly over time. If taken regularly, it can prevent asthma attacks. Using a controller medication every day also means you will likely need to use your relief inhaler less often.
Live better with asthma
Asthma attacks can happen anywhere at any time. You can manage how often these attacks happen by doing just a few simple things:
- Take your controller medication every day to prevent asthma attacks. For most people, this is the best medicine for long-term control of asthma. Remember to refill it every month.
- Use your reliever inhaler only when you are having a severe asthma attack.
- Keep your home clear of your asthma triggers, such as dust, smoke, pet hair, pollen, etc.
Smart Tip: Ask your doctor to write a prescription for a 90-day supply of your controller medicine. This gives you medicine for a longer stretch, so you won’t have to worry about as many refills.
Learn more about asthma and the best ways to manage it:
- Read the Johns Hopkins Medicine article, Managing Your Asthma Medicines.
- Sign up for our free online Health Education class, Breathe Easier: Managing Asthma. Get details and class schedules at ehp.org/managing-asthma.
