Asthma is one of the types of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPDs) characterized by the inflammation and swelling of the air passages in the lungs. People with a history of asthma have acute flare-ups that are often sudden attacks of symptoms.
The signs and symptoms of asthma include breathlessness, cough, wheezing, and chest tightness. Typically, asthma symptoms may occur after exposure to a trigger, such as cold air, dust, allergens, exercise, stress, or smoke so avoiding these triggers is important.
People with asthma eventually come to known the importance of avoiding their triggers. Another important part of asthma treatment is using inhalers and medications to manage the condition.
It is essential to work closely with your doctor to track your symptoms and maneuver your medications because asthma can change over time. Also, the types and doses of asthma medications you need depend on your age, your symptoms, the severity of your asthma and medication side effects, according to Mayo Clinic.
Generic asthma inhalers and medications usually contain the same active ingredients as the brand name versions. So, as far as the efficacy is concerned, studies suggest that switching from a brand name to a generic asthma inhaler may not affect health.
Common Generic Asthma Inhalers and Medications
Your doctor is the right person to prescribe you a generic asthma inhaler or medication or a combination of both. Remember, choosing the right treatment may involve some trial and error. Here are some of the commonly recommended generic asthma inhalers and medications.
- Albuterol is a generic Ventolin inhaler that comes as a nebulizer solution and as an inhaler to provide you quick relief. It is one of the most widely prescribed rescue inhalers for asthma.
- Beclomethasone is a generic corticosteroid inhaler that is usually given twice daily for long-term asthma control.
- Budesonide is also a generic corticosteroid inhaler that is available as both a nebulizer solution and an inhaler. It is usually taken twice a day for long-term asthma control.
- Symbicort is a combination of budesonide/formoterol, which is also a generic steroid inhaler that is to be used twice daily.
- Fluticasone, also called generic fluticasone inhaler, is an inhaled steroid that is recommended twice a day. This drug also comes in a combination with other drugs.
- Montelukast (Generic Singulair) is a leukotriene modifier, an oral medication that is to be taken once a day in the evening for long-term asthma control.
- Prednisone and methylprednisolone are oral corticosteroids advised for serious asthma attacks.
There are several other generic steroid inhalers and medications available for treating asthma.
Usually, there are two main types of asthma drugs. The first is your long-term asthma control medicine, which is also called “maintenance” asthma medicine. And the other kind of medicine is your quick-relief, also called “rescue” medicine, which is given during a flare-up. Please check with your doctor to know more about different types of asthma inhalers and medications. You may even ask your doctor whether you can switch to generic asthma inhalers or medications for long-term control.
