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Asthma Controller Medicine Inhaled Corticosteroid and Long Acting Bronchodilator

Respiratory



 



The name of your controller medicine is ____________________________.

 

Combined medicines are used to control and prevent asthma symptoms.  They need to be taken each day.  An inhaled corticosteroid (Flovent® or Pulmicort® or Asmanex® ) is used to decrease airway swelling.  A long acting bronchodilator (Serevent® or Foradil®) is used to open and relax the airways.

When combined, they help to

  • Make airways less “twitchy”.
  • Decrease airway swelling.
  • Decrease mucous.
  • Decrease asthma symptoms.

Names of these medcines are

 

  • Advair® Diskus: 3 strengths are 100/50, 250/50, & 500/50
    • Combines Flovent® (fluticasone) & Serevent® (salmeterol)
  • Advair HFA® Inhaler: 3 strengths are 45/21, 115/21, & 230/21
    • Combines Flovent® (fluticasone) & Serevent® (salmeterol)
  • Symbicort HFA ® Inhaler: 2 strengths are 80/4.5 and 160/4.5
    • Combines Pulmicort® (budesonide) & Foradil® (formoterol)
  • Dulera HFA® Inhaler: 2 strengths are 100/5 & 200/5 
    • Combines Asmanex® (mometasone) & Foradil® (formoterol)

Side effects (at low strengths) may include

  • Hoarse voice.
  • Cough.
  • Yeast infection in the mouth (“thrush”).
  • Faster heart beat.
  • Feeling shaky.

To lessen side effects

  • Always rinse your mouth with water or brush your teeth after using.  Do not swallow the water.
  • Use a spacer device.
  • Wash your face after using a mask with the spacer.

Other side effects may occur.  People with severe asthma who have taken high doses of inhaled corticosteroids for a long time are at greatest risk.  Your doctor or nurse will review these side effects with you.

 

For Metered Dose Inhalers (Advair HFA® and Symbicort HFA® or Dulera®)

  • Shake for 5 seconds before each use
  • Clean the mouthpiece once a week with a dry cotton swab.
  • If you do not use it for 7 days, spray 2 times before using.


Please check with your pharmacist or health care provider about priming the inhaler when first opening or if you have not used the inhaler in one week.

 

 

The Spanish version of this Health Facts for You is #6728.



The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Last Updated: 04/11/2011

Copyright © 04/11/2011 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. UWH #6656

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