Medication: Preventers

Introduction

Key Points

Preventer medication comes as:

  • Inhalers
  • Tablets
  • Injections

Inhalers

Key Points

These inhalers need to be taken every day come what may.

There are two types:

  • Steroid only, which tackle the inflammation in the airways
  • Combined inhalers, which also include a long-acting muscle relaxing drug

Preventer inhalers can take 4-6 weeks to start working.

Find out more about the different types of inhalers

Tablets

Key Points

The following tablets are additional treatments:

  • Montelukast
  • Theophylline
  • Oral steroids

If you are taking this treatment, you should know:

  • What they do
  • When to take them
  • What to look out for

Injections

Key Points

Injections are only used in severe asthma.

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