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A reliever is a drug that provides relief from asthma symptoms and is the most
commonly used asthma medication. During an attack, the airways constrict, so
short acting relievers are taken to relax the smooth muscle.
Relievers do not reduce the underlying inflammation associated with asthma
and therefore do not prevent asthma attacks. A good rule of thumb is to take
a preventer medication if you are using your reliever more than 3 - 4 times a
week.
Relievers come in many different brands.
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Not All Relievers Are The Same
The most common and effective short-acting relievers are the beta-agonists.
These stimulate beta-receptors, relaxing smooth muscle and opening the
bronchioles.
There are two types of beta-agonists -
short-acting and long-acting.
Short-acting bronchodilators should be used on an "as needed" basis to overcome attacks.
Long-acting bronchodilators work by keeping the airways open for
several hours. They are taken regularly whether asthma symptoms
are present or not. They should NEVER be used for emergencies.
This is extremely important, because some people have died taking
long-acting relievers for symptomatic relief. These medications
should only be reduced when short acting bronchodilators are not
needed on a daily basis.
| Drug Name |
Brand Name |
Comments: |
Salbutamol/
Alubuterol (US) |
Ventolin
Aerolin
Airet
Asmavent
Proventil
Respolin
Ventodisk
Volmax
Airomir
|
Selective, short to medium duration
Proventil HFA & Airomir are non-cfc MDIs. MDI, inhaled solution, nebuliser, Rotacaps, Diskhaler, Autohaler, injection, tablets & syrup. |
| Bitolterol |
Tornalate |
Selective, Medium Duration |
| Ephedrine |
Ephedrine |
Non selective. An unreliable bronchodilator as depends on level of catecholamine in the body at time given. |
| Epinephrine |
Bronkaid Mist
Primatene Mist
Sus-Phrine |
Non selective. Epinephrine is available in OTC, aerosol and by injection. |
| Fenoterol |
Berotec
Berotec Forte |
Less selective and associated with a greater frequency of cardiac acceleration. MDI, Inhaled solution, tablets
MDI, 2 times
stronger dose than
Berotec |
| Formoterol |
Foradil |
Selective. Long Acting Bronchodilator. |
| Isoetharine |
Bronkosol
Bronkometer |
Selective, short duration |
| Isoproterenol |
Medihaler-Iso
Isuprel |
Less selective. MDI, inhaled solution, nebuliser & syrup. |
Orciprenaline/
Metaproterenol (US) |
Alupent
Metaprel
|
Less Selective. MDI, inhaled solution, tablets |
| Pirbuterol |
Maxair |
Selective. MDI, Autohaler |
| Procaterol |
Pro-Air |
Selective with an effective duration up to 12 hours. |
| Salmeterol |
Serevent |
Long Acting Bronchodilator available as MDI, Diskhaler, Accuhaler |
| Terbutaline |
Bricanyl
Brethine
Brethaire |
Selective available as MDI, DPI, tablets, byinjection, turbuhaler |
As well as long acting and short acting beta-agonists, there are two other
different types of relievers:
xanthine or theophylline-type drugs are thought to prevent the
destruction of cAMP - therefore keeping the airways open.
anti-cholinergic medications stop acetylcholine from stimulating
cholinergic receptors - thus stopping bronchoconstriction.
Is My Asthma Under Control?
Initially, doctors may only prescribe a short acting reliever medication.
However if this medication is required more than 3 to 4 times a week, your
asthma is not well controlled and you probably need a preventive medicine. If
you are already taking preventive medication, and are still using your
short-acting reliever more than four times a week, then a review is needed of
your medication. This is because studies over the past ten to fifteen years
have shown that the overuse of relievers deplete their usefulness and have
been linked to a deterioration in asthma control. This has led to a new
approach to asthma management with the emphasis on daily use of
preventive medication and minimal need for relievers.
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