Understanding Asthma Inhalers
To the rescue? Or in control? Each asthma medicine answers a different need. Two common types of treatments are rescue inhalers and maintenance inhalers. Your doctor will help you decide how to best manage your asthma symptoms, but it's helpful to learn about your options and how they work.
Rescue inhalers
Rescue inhalers are also known as fast-acting inhalers, relievers, short-acting bronchodilators, or short-acting inhaled beta2-agonists.
Rescue inhalers are used in the event of an asthma attack, when needed. They help provide quick relief by relaxing tightened muscles around your airways. This allows your airways to open up so you can breathe more freely. Rescue inhalers treat immediate symptoms. Rescue inhalers do not treat the inflammation that can lead to asthma symptoms.
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), your asthma may not be well controlled if you use a rescue inhaler more than two times a week.
Maintenance inhalers
Maintenance inhalers come in many forms. You may know them better as anti-inflammatories, long-acting bronchodilators, or inhaled corticosteroids.
The NHLBI states that inhaled corticosteroids are the most effective single-agent, long-term therapies available for persistent asthma.
When used every day, maintenance inhalers help you avoid asthma symptoms and attacks. They help prevent andreduce swelling in your lungs and airways. They also help decrease mucus production, so your airways can stay clearer. Although it is not known exactly how corticosteroids work, these actions may contribute to how they help manage your asthma symptoms. Over time, maintenance inhalers can help make your airways less sensitive to asthma triggers.
A maintenance inhaler cannot replace a rescue inhaler for sudden attacks. But using a maintenance inhaler every day can reduce the number of attacks you have. The ASMANEX® TWISTHALER® is one type of maintenance inhaler. Learn about how ASMANEX® can help you manage your asthma symptoms.
The ASMANEX® TWISTHALER® 220 mcg is a maintenance inhaler. Studies show that in patients 12 and olderASMANEX® 220 mcg (mometasone furoate inhalation powder), an inhaled corticosteroid, may help reduce the number of times you need to use a rescue inhaler. If you're using your rescue inhaler more than two times a week, ask your doctor about ASMANEX®.
Myths & Facts about Maintenance Inhalers
There are some common misconceptions about asthma treatments; here are some that might surprise you:
| Myth: | The steroid in my inhaler has the same effects as the illegal steroids athletes use. |
| Fact: | Corticosteroid, the medicine in your inhaler, is very different from an anabolic steroid, the steroid that some athletes misuse. Inhaled corticosteroids have been safely prescribed for over 50 years to help reduce and prevent swelling in lungs and airways. Anabolic steroids are used to increase muscle mass, strength, and endurance. Inhaled corticosteroids do not do this. |
| Myth: | Inhaled corticosteroids can cause weight gain and ulcers, just like corticosteroid pills. |
| Fact: | Most of the corticosteroid in your inhaler is distributed in your lungs. Little goes to your bloodstream, and what does is passed out of the body quickly. This helps reduce the risk of side effects associated with long-term oral corticosteroids, like ulcers, weight gain, weak bones, cataracts, and high blood pressure. |
| Myth: | Maintenance inhalers are addictive. |
| Fact: | Maintenance inhalers are NOT addictive. When used every day, maintenance inhalers can help you avoid asthma symptoms and attacks. They help prevent andreduce swelling in your lungs and airways. |
| Myth: | It's unhealthy to put so much medicine into my body every day. |
| Fact: | For many healthy people, the benefit of using a maintenance inhaler every day far outweighs the risk of side effects. While every maintenance inhaler has different side effects, they can be easily managed. On the other hand, the risks of not managing your asthma symptoms can be serious - including permanent damage to your lungs, asthma attacks, even death. |
Talk to your doctor to find out if adding ASMANEX® 220 mcg can help you manage your asthma symptoms around the clock to help you have fewer symptoms and breathe easier.
