Controller Medications
People living with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may be treated long-acting controller medications. These are usually used in combination with quick relief medications, or rescue medications.
Controller medications work slowly over time and are taken regularly to try to prevent symptoms over the long term. Long-acting medicines reduce the swelling and inflammation in the airways that cause symptoms to worsen. Controller medications are taken every day, even when you are feeling well.
If you have asthma or COPD and want to know whether controller medications are right for you, your RWJBarnabas Health primary care physician or pulmonologist can guide you. Make an appointment to talk to an doctor today.
Why Use Controller Medications?
Treating asthma or COPD intermittently is usually not enough to cope with lung conditions in the long term. Even during phases when symptoms are not severe, asthma and COPD are still active and require treatment. To best manage asthma or COPD it is important to take the right medicine at the right time. Your health care provider will work with you to create a medication schedule based on symptoms.
Types of Controller Medications
There are several different types of controller medications, including:
- Inhaled corticosteroids. These are the most commonly used controller medications that reduce inflammation and tightening in the airways to help prevent symptoms such as shortness of breath. They are Inhaled directly into the lungs using an inhaler.
- Inhaled long acting beta2 agonists (LABAs). These drugs work to open the airways by helping the muscles around the lungs to relax. This medication must be combined with inhaled corticosteroids. Combination inhalers are available that combine a long-acting beta agonist with a corticosteroid to help manage symptoms.
- Cromolyn. This oral inhalation works by preventing the release of substances that cause swelling in the air passages of the lungs that result in respiratory symptoms. It is taken using a nebulizer (a machine that turns medication into a mist that can be inhaled).
- Leukotriene antagonists. These medications block the action of immune system chemicals that contribute to the inflammatory response in the airways causing respiratory symptoms. This medication comes in pill form and is taken by mouth.
- Theophylline. This medication helps to open the airways by causing the surrounding muscles to relax. Theophylline comes in pill form and is taken by mouth.
What to Expect When Taking Controller Medications
The goal of controller medications is to prevent symptoms of asthma and COPD, rather than treat symptoms when they occur. Controller medications help you to:
- Breathe better
- Do more of the things you want to do
- Have fewer symptoms
Side Effects of Controller Medications
Side effects of controller medications depend on the type of medication, how large a dose you take and how you take it. Medication that is inhaled usually causes fewer side effects than swallowing it in the form of tablets. Side effects can include mouth and throat irritation and oral yeast infections.
Contact your RWJBarnabas Health doctor if you experience any side effects while taking controller medications.