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| The information
is provided by Hong Kong Society of Paediatric
Respirology |
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| Step
2: Work with Your
Doctor to Control Asthma |
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| Preventive
medications - anti-inflammatory |
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| These are "preventive medications" that
are used to inhibit inflammation and reduce airway hyper-responsiveness.
Controllers should not be used as relievers, as they cannot
relieve symptoms instantly (see later on how to use relievers
to control symptoms). They should be taken on a regular
basis every day to prevent worsening of asthma. It is
necessary to continue to take preventive medications if
symptoms persist. |
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| Here are some common anti-inflammatories: |
| A. Corticosteroids |
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Inhaled steroids, such as beclomethasone, budesonide and
fluticasone, are very effective anti-inflammatory drugs.
Inhalers contain lower doses of steroids than oral tablets,
and therefore, have fewer side effects. In some children,
taking corticosteroids may affect their rate of growth,
however this is only a short-term effect. (It is very
important to use inhalers correctly to maximize results
and minimize side effects. After inhalation, it is advisable
to rinse the child's mouth with water - this reduces oral
thrush and reduce the amount of steroids being swallowed). |
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When there is a severe asthma attack, the doctor may prescribe
a short course of oral steroid . It should be noted, however,
prolonged use of oral steroid may induce osteoporosis,
obesity, high blood pressure, etc. |
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| B. Cromoglycate |
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This is another type
of inhaled anti-inflammatory drug which is suitable for
patients with mild asthma. It needs to be used several
times a day and has few side effects. However, it may
cause cough during inhalation. |
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| C. Leukotriene receptor
antagonists (e.g. montelukast) |
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This is a steroid-free,
oral medication that is suitable for children 
2 years old who have mild asthma. When used concomitantly
with inhaled steroids, the steroid dose can be reduced.
To date, there are no obvious side effects at the recommended
dosage. |
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| Reliever
medications - bronchodilators |
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| These are fast-acting medications that can relief the
symptoms of an acute asthma attack. Commonly prescribed
are inhaled bronchodilators such as salbutamol and terbutaline.
Reliever medications have no anti-inflammatory effect,
but can instantly dilate airways, thereby relieving the
symptoms of an asthma attack. Patients should not rely
heavily on relievers and ignore controller medications,
as prolonged use will reduce their effectiveness. Therefore,
children should take the medication as directed by a doctor.
Common side effects are tremor (e.g. shaky hands) and
tachycardia (rapid heart rate). |
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