About 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 if you have asthma symptoms or in the event of an asthma attack, only when needed. They help provide quick relief by relaxing tightened muscles around your airways. This allows your airways to open up so you can breath more freely. Rescue inhalers only treat immediate symptoms. They can't control your asthma or prevent future asthma attacks.
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), your asthma symptoms may not be in control if you use a rescue inhaler every day.
Maintenance inhalers
Maintenance inhalers come in many forms. You may know them better as
antiinflammatories, long-acting bronchodilators, or inhaled
corticosteroids.
Inhaled corticosteroids are the most effective long-term therapies available for persistent asthma.
When used every day, maintenance inhalers help you avoid asthma symptoms and attacks. They help prevent, reduce, or reverse 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 control 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.
PROVENTIL® HFA Inhalation Aerosol is indicated in adults and children 4 years of age and older for the treatment or prevention of bronchospasm with reversible obstructive airway disease and for the prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm.
Albuterol (CFC) Inhalation Aerosol is indicated in patients 12 years of age and older for the treatment or prevention of bronchospasm with reversible obstructive airway disease and for the prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm.
Important Safety Information
If your symptoms become significantly worse when you use PROVENTIL® HFA or Albuterol (CFC) Inhalation Aerosols, contact your doctor immediately because this reaction can be life threatening. Worsening symptoms often occur with the first use of a new canister.
What to tell your doctor before using PROVENTIL® HFA or Albuterol (CFC) Inhalation Aerosols: If you have a heart, blood, or seizure disorder, high blood pressure, diabetes, or an overactive thyroid, be sure to tell your doctor. Also make sure your doctor knows all medications you are taking — especially heart medications and drugs that treat depression — because some medications may interfere with how well your asthma medications work.
Side effects with PROVENTIL® HFA and Albuterol (CFC) Inhalation Aerosols are similar: In a clinical study, side effects associated with PROVENTIL® HFA and Albuterol (CFC) Inhalation Aerosols were similar and included infection of the ears, nose, and throat, runny nose, nausea, tremor, and nervousness. Rapid heart beat, vomiting, chest pain, and palpitation occurred more frequently with PROVENTIL® HFA.
Available by prescription only.
For additional important product information, see The PROVENTIL® HFA Package Insert.
For additional important product information on the Warrick inhaler, see The Albuterol Package Insert.
Note: The information on this site is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have any questions about your treatment or medical condition, please consult your doctor or other qualified health care provider.
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.
This site is intended for use by U.S. residents.
