Wondering what asthma medication has the fewest side effects? We break down the safest asthma drugs like Symbicort and Advair.
When you have asthma, finding a medication that controls your symptoms without bad side effects can be tricky.
The good news is that today's asthma drugs are effective at easing wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness while avoiding major side effects.
In this post, we’ll explore the medication side effect checker for the most common asthma medications to help you find the safest option.
Inhaled Corticosteroids
Inhaled corticosteroids like Pulmicort and Qvar are usually the first line of defense against asthma flare-ups.
These preventive daily medications work by reducing inflammation and mucus production in the airways.
The main side effects of inhaled steroids include throat irritation, hoarseness, thrush (a mouth fungal infection), and coughing from inhaling the medication.
However, using a spacer and rinsing your mouth after taking them can help minimize these issues.
Overall, inhaled corticosteroids have very few systemic side effects because the medication goes directly to the lungs rather than circulating throughout the body. Taking the lowest effective dose can also reduce any potential risks.
Long-Acting Bronchodilators
Long-acting bronchodilators provide symptom relief by opening up the airways through relaxation of the muscles around the bronchial tubes. Serevent and Foradil are two common long-acting bronchodilators used for asthma.
While very effective, these medications can cause side effects like rapid heart rate, tremors, headaches, and muscle cramps in some people.
Those risks are why they are always prescribed along with an inhaled corticosteroid for asthma.
Combination Inhalers
Today, most asthma patients use combination inhalers that contain both a preventive corticosteroid and a fast-acting bronchodilator in one device.
This approach helps improve compliance while providing comprehensive asthma control.
Symbicort and Advair are two of the most widely used combination inhalers. By delivering both medications directly to the airways, potential systemic side effects are very low.
Local side effects can include mouth and throat irritation and fungal infections. Some people also experience headaches or jitters from the bronchodilator component. However, combining the drugs in one inhaler means lower dosages are needed.
Leukotriene Modifiers
For patients who still have asthma symptoms on inhalers alone, leukotriene modifiers like Singulair can provide added relief.
Leukotrienes are inflammatory molecules released during asthma flare-ups that cause airway constriction.
Side effects of leukotriene modifiers are uncommon but can include headaches, fatigue, behavioral changes in children, sinusitis, and upper respiratory infections. There are also very rare risks of mood changes and suicidal thinking.
The Bottom Line
When used as prescribed, today's asthma medications allow patients to manage their symptoms effectively with minimal risks.
Paying attention to proper inhaler technique, sticking with your preventive treatment plan, and reporting any side effects to your doctor can go a long way toward getting your asthma under control safely.
The right medication regimen can help you breathe more easily. Consult with your doctor to find the most effective and safest asthma treatment for your situation.
With the right approach, you can keep asthma symptoms in check and side effects to a minimum.
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