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Asthma Control and Management

Asthma is a very common medical condition and affects over 5 million Britons. An attack is triggered by external factors such as cigarette smoke, dust mites or animal dander and pet hair and affects the respiratory tract making breathing difficult. Common symptoms include wheezing, mucus coughing, chest tightness and trouble breathing. A severe episode of asthma can be life-threatening but with the right medicine, the condition can be managed well and attacks can be prevented.

Asthma is a chronic condition and as such treatment is lifelong. The most common effective asthma treatments are now available to order here at Myonlinedoctor, giving you a convenient, cost- and time-effective way of ensuring you’ve got your medicine when you need it. Below is a brief guide to the four asthma treatments available via our service.

Asthma Treatments

Ventolin (salbutamol)

Ventolin is one ofo the most commonly used asthma inhalers and a so-called reliever. This means it is used as and when needed to relieve the symptoms of an acute asthma episode. Its active ingredient salbutamol belongs to a class of medicines called Beta-2 receptor antagonists. It is an effective treatment of bronchospasm (temporary narrowing of the airways) as experienced by sufferers of asthma and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).

Salbutamol is delivered to the lungs via inhalation and relaxes the bronchial smooth muscle. It can take between five and twenty minutes for the medicine to be fully effective, but symptoms usually improve immediately after using the inhaler. Ventolin is generally well-tolerated but can in some cases lead to side effects such as headaches, tremour (nervous shaking), muscle cramps or palpitations. If you are concerned about the side effects of this drug, please consult your prescribing healthcare practitioner and as with any other medicine, do read the patient leaflet carefully prior to using it.

Seretide (Salmeterol, Fluticasone Propionate)

Seretide is an asthma preventer, which means it is used regularly, usually twice a day, to prevent asthma attacks. It contains two active ingredients – salmeterol and fluticasone propionate. Salmeterol is a Beta-2 receptor antagonist and relaxes certain muscles in the airways which allows them to open up thus enabling the asthma sufferer to breathe normally again.

Fluticasone belongs to a group of medicines called corticosteroids. Corticosteroids are hormones that are naturally produced by the body and play an important part in the body’s response to an inflammation. Fluticasone is delivered directly to the lungs where it prevents the release of certain chemicals which in return reduces inflammation.

It is very important that you use your preventer regularly, usually one puff twice a day. If you do not stick to your treatment, you will not get the full benefit from it. Do not use a preventer in case of an acute asthma attack as it will not relieve the symptoms.

As with any other medicine, Seretide may cause side effects in some patients such as headaches, joint pains or unexpected bronchospasm. Please read the patient leaflet carefully prior to using this medicine.

Serevent (Salmeterol)

Serevent is another form of preventative asthma inhaler containing the active ingredient salmeterol, which is also an active compound in Seretide (see above). Salmeterol is a long-acting Beta-2 receptor antagonist which means that, while it does not open the airways up as quickly, it keeps them open for much longer. This makes this medicine a preventer rather than a reliever and as such it is not to be used in case of an acute episode of asthma. Salmeterol can cause dizziness, nervousness or chest tightness. The full list of reported side effects can be found in the patient leaflet, please read this information carefully before using this medicine and speka to your doctor or pharmacist if you require further information.

Flixotide (Fluticasone Propionate)

Flixotide is an inhaler device which is prescribed to prevent asthma attacks. Its active ingredient fluticasone is a corticosteroid which helps control inflammation and the body’s inflammatory response by inhibiting the release of certain chemicals in the lungs during an asthma attack. Flixotide needs to be used regularly so as to work properly, so please use it as directed by your doctor even if you are feeling well. Its active ingredient can also be found in Seretide (see above), another asthma preventer which combines two different substances which effectively prevent asthma. Flixotide is available via the Myonlinedoctor consultation service and can be prescribed as part of your preventative asthma regime. Please read the patient leaflet carefully prior to using this inhaler.

Pulmicort (Budesonide)

Just like fluticasone, budesonide, which is the active ingredient in Pulmicort, is a corticosteroid. It is effective in preventing asthma in people suffering from frequent episodes. Budesonide is delivered to the airways by inhalation and helps to calm down the inflammatory response of the body. Pulmicort is not fast-acting and as such is not suitable to be used acutely. To obtain best treatment results, it must be used regularly as indicated by your doctor. Budesonide can lead to side effects such as oral thrush or a sore throat and cough. If you are concerned at all, please speak to your prescribing doctor. Always read the patient leaflet that comes with the medicine for full information about side effects.

Asthma Treatments