5 Common Types of Asthma Meds & Why You Should Use Them As Prescribed

3. Leukotriene inhibitors:  (Singulair) This is an excellent medicine used to prevent allergies. It is more commonly prescribed for asthmatics because it blocks the leukotrienes from being released when your body is exposed to allergens, and thus prevents bronchoconstriction during an asthma attack.

This medicine should be taken once daily by mouth even when you are feeling good, and it also takes up to 2-3 weeks to start working. This is a preventative medicine that is most effective when it is well established in your system.  It should not be taken to stop an attack.  

There are, however, some exceptions you may want to discuss with your doctor, as this med can also be used 2 hours prior to excercise to prevent excercise induced asthma.

4. Anti-inflammatory agents:  (Cromolyn and Tilade) This is a classic asthma preventative medicine used to reduce swelling in your airways.  It's also a mast cell stabilizer that prevents the release of hystamine, a chemical that can cause allergic reactions, and leukotrieins, a chemical that causes bronchospasm.

This type of medicine does not work to stop an asthma attack,  and usually takes 1-2 weeks of continued use before it starts working.  Therefore, if you stop using this medicine it will not prevent an asthma attack.

There is one other thing I can say about #2-4 above that may sometimes be overlooked, but I know from personal experience it is true:

If you take your preventative medicines exactly as prescribed, when you do have asthma symptoms these symptoms are likely to be less severe and more easily treated with your rescue inhaler (#1 above). 

So don't be the goofus asthmatic who abuses his rescue inhaler until it runs out before rushing to the ER, and don't be the asthmatic who makes a trip to the ER just because she decided to stop taking her preventative meds.

Instead, be the gallant asthmatic who is thankful science has provided you the opportunity to control your asthma, and take care of yourself.