Preventers – generally autumn coloured
Preventer medications make your airways less sensitive and help to keep you well. They reduce the swelling and inflammation inside the airways and decrease the production of mucus. Preventers often take several weeks to make you feel a lot better.
- Intal forte
- Tilade
- QVAR
- Flixotide
- Pulmicort
- Alvesco
- Most of these medications are inhaled corticosteroids.
- Due to the side effects that inhaled corticosteroids may cause eg sore throat, hoarse voice and oral thrush it is important to rinse, gargle and spit after using these medications. If you are using a puffer, a spacer can greatly reduce the chance of developing these side effects.
- Intal-forte, Tilade and Singulair are non-steroidal medications and are sometimes also used to help prevent exercise-induced asthma.
- Prednisolone, Prednisone, Solone, Redipred and Predmix are oral corticosteroids which are sometimes ordered by a doctor during an acute attack for short periods only.
- Singular is a preventative medication that is taken daily in chewable tablet form. Your doctor will be able to tell you if this new medication is suitable for you or your child.
- You may need to take preventers every day, or only during your trigger season eg Winter or Spring - check with your doctor. Do not stop taking your Preventer unless your doctor advises you to. Contact the Asthma Foundation of WA to find information about current medications.
What is a spacer device?
A spacer is a special device that looks like a clear plastic football or tube. Spacers act as a reservoir for the medication from the puffer ("press and breathe" inhaler).
Spacers:
- reduce the amount of medication deposited in the throat and increase the amount of medication reaching the lungs
- minimise the side effects which may occur when using inhaled steroids
- do not require the coordinated action of puffers ("press and breathe" inhalers), hence making them easier to use
- are quicker and easier to use than nebulisers
- are inexpensive, durable and easy to clean
Contact The Asthma Foundation of WA or Log on for an On-line clinic to find out more about the different medication devices/age appropriate spacers and how they are used.