The Top Choices for Asthma Inhalers?

Answer 1

Asthmatics are very familiar with breathing treatments to manage symptoms. Many Asthma sufferers keep a nebulizer machine at home to take prescribed liquid inhalation medicines. The device has an air pump that aerosolizes liquid asthma medications into a fine mist that is inhaled through a face mask. One of the greatest product innovations for asthmatics was the invention of pocket-sized portable inhalers. They make it possible to precisely meter dosages of both liquid and dry inhalant medications.

The Top Three Rescue Inhalers for Asthma

Albuterol sulfate is probably the most prescribed rescue inhaler for asthma sufferers who have acute asthma attacks. It is often available at special generic pricing at participating pharmacies. Some doctor's offices also keep it on hand as samples to give away to first-time users and low income patients. Ipratropium bromide (Atrovent) is another fast acting inhaler medication used to mitigate symptoms of an asthma attack in progress. A newer drug that is an analog to albuterol is the brand name drug Xopenex which is manufactured by Sunovion Pharmaceuticals. Though both albuterol and Xopenex have similar reported side effects, Xopenex may be better tolerated by those who cannot tolerate albuterol. An increased heart rate and palpitations are listed as side effects for both medications. There are reports that Xopenex may work better for those who are troubled by heart-related side effects.

Other Inhaled Asthma Medications

Other inhaled medications to treat asthma are classified as long-term maintenance drugs that are not to be used to treat an acute asthma attack. They are mostly corticosteroid medications that are inhaled directly into the lungs via an inhalation device. They are not meant to treat the immediate and potentially life-threatening symptoms of an asthma attack in progress. These drugs include the generics fluticasone, ciclesonide, mometasone, budesonide and beclomethasone that are also marketed under various brand names.

If no prescription insurance exists, be sure to go to manufacturer websites for coupon and free offers for needed asthma medications. Also inquire at pharmacies about programs to receive medications at reduced cost. Sunovion offers the most liberal program for those without prescription insurance to obtain Xopenex free.