Avoiding asthma triggers is not always practical or possible. That is why, in addition to avoiding asthma triggers, many people may need medicine to help treat their asthma.
Shown below is a list of medicines commonly used in the treatment of asthma. The medicines may be in the form of pills or inhalers. Some may contain steroids. Check with your doctor for specific information or if you have any questions.
Some people may need to use more than 1 type of medicine to treat their asthma. In particular, many people use a controller medication for long-term therapy but still must have rescue medicine available. The good news about all of these options is that they give you and your doctor the ability to choose medications that are appropriate for your health condition and make the most sense for your needs. When you are discussing your options, ask your doctor about adding SINGULAIR. The medications* listed below are available by prescription only.
Rescue medications
These work to quickly “rescue” you while you are experiencing asthma symptoms.
- Short-acting beta agonists
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- Albuterol
- Alupent
- Maxair
- Proventil
- Ventolin
- Xopenex
Controller medications
These work to help control and reduce symptoms before they occur.
- Leukotriene receptor antagonists
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- SINGULAIR
- Accolate
- Inhaled corticosteroids (steroids)
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- Aerobid
- Azmacort
- Asmanex
- Flovent
- Pulmicort
- Qvar
- Oral corticosteroids (steroids)
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- Medrol
- Pediapred
- Prednisone
- Prelone
- Long-acting beta agonists
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- Foradil
- Serevent
- Combination corticosteroid and long-acting beta agonist
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- Advair
- Theophyllines
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- Slo-bid
- Theo-Dur
- Uni-Dur
- Uniphyl
- Cromolyn or nedocromil
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- Intal
- Tilade
SINGULAIR is a prescription medicine approved to help control asthma in adults and children as young as 12 months and to help relieve the symptoms of indoor and outdoor allergies (outdoor allergies in adults and children as young as 2 years, and indoor allergies in adults and children as young as 6 months).
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
SINGULAIR will NOT replace fast-acting inhalers for sudden symptoms. You should still have rescue medication available and continue to take your other asthma medications unless your doctor tells you to stop. For asthma, SINGULAIR should be taken once a day, in the evening as prescribed, whether or not you have asthma symptoms. If your symptoms get worse or you need to increase the use of your rescue inhaler, call your doctor at once.
Side effects are generally mild and vary by age, and may include headache, ear infection, sore throat, and upper respiratory infection. Side effects generally did not stop patients from taking SINGULAIR. Check with your doctor if you're pregnant or nursing. SINGULAIR should be taken once a day, as prescribed. SINGULAIR is available by prescription only.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
For additional safety information, please see Patient Product Information.