Inhaled Steroids | Long-Acting Bronchodilators | Combination Medications | Anti-Leukotrienes | Anti-IgE Therapy | Oral Corticosteroids | Theophyllines
Sometimes, moderate doses of inhaled steroids alone do not fully control asthma symptoms. You may find that, even though you're taking inhaled steroids regularly, you still experience asthma symptoms, for example, at night or when you exercise.
Long-acting beta-agonists(LABAs) dilate the airway for up to 12 hours and are to be taken along with your inhaled steroids. Currently, researchers do not think that long-acting bronchodilators can reduce inflammation on their own, but they may help the inhaled steroids to work better..
There are several different kinds of long-acting bronchodilators. If you are given the inhaled corticosteroid and LABA in two separate inhalers, make sure you use them both. LABAs are not intended to be used alone for the treatment of asthma. Like any medication, a long-acting bronchodilator should be used only as your doctor advises.
Examples of long-acting bronchodilators are:
- Formoterol (sold as Oxeze® or Foradil®)
- Salmeterol (sold as Serevent®)
Possible side effects of long-acting bronchodilators include:
- Increased heart rate
- Headache
- Anxiety
- Tremor
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