If you have asthma, you want clear, usable steps—not confusion. This page lays out how rescue and controller meds differ, how to use inhalers well, quick actions during an attack, and when to ask for specialist care. Read the short, practical tips below and follow up with your clinician for a plan that fits you.
First, use your rescue inhaler (usually albuterol or levalbuterol). Take 1–2 puffs, wait one minute, then repeat if needed up to the dose your doctor advised. If symptoms don’t improve after 10–15 minutes or you’re getting worse (trouble speaking, blue lips, severe breathlessness), call emergency services right away.
Carry your inhaler with you. If you use a spacer, keep it assembled at home—spacers improve medicine delivery, especially for kids. If you’ve needed emergency care more than once in a year, tell your doctor; that means your control needs adjusting.
There are two big categories: rescue inhalers for immediate relief and controller meds to lower inflammation over time. Rescue inhalers: albuterol (Ventolin) is common and cheap; levalbuterol (Xopenex) can cause fewer heart palpitations for some people. Controller meds: inhaled corticosteroids are first-line for daily control. If symptoms persist, doctors often add a long-acting bronchodilator (LABA) or a leukotriene modifier.
For severe asthma that doesn’t respond to standard treatment, biologic drugs (omalizumab, mepolizumab, benralizumab and others) target specific immune pathways. Recent clinical trials show these biologics can cut severe exacerbations by about half in eligible patients. Talk to a pulmonologist or allergy specialist to check if you qualify; they require blood tests and a clear history of uncontrolled asthma despite inhaled therapy.
Technique matters more than you think. Hold the inhaler upright, breathe out fully, start a slow deep breath and press the canister once while inhaling, then hold your breath for 5–10 seconds. If you use a dry powder inhaler, you must inhale fast and deep. Ask your pharmacist or nurse to watch you use it—small fixes make a big difference.
Reduce triggers: keep indoor air clean, avoid smoking and secondhand smoke, control pet dander if allergic, and treat nasal allergy if present. Use a peak flow meter at home if you have moderate or severe asthma; it helps spot a worsening pattern before you feel terrible.
Make an action plan with your clinician. It should say which meds to take daily, what to do when symptoms rise, and clear thresholds for calling the clinic or going to the ER. Review this plan every year or after any flare-up.
Want to read more practical comparisons like Xopenex vs Ventolin or get tips on buying inhalers affordably? Check trusted reviews and ask your prescriber what fits your heart rate, wallet, and daily life.
Mar, 24 2025