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California Asthma Care | Controlling Ashtma
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Section TitleMedications
  • Oral Medications
    • Leukotrienes
    • Oral Corticosteroids
    • Theophylline
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    Oral Medications for Preventing Asthma

    Oral asthma medications are used for asthma control to prevent asthma flare-ups and not used to relieve immediate symptoms. They are taken daily -- even when a person does not have any asthma symptoms.

    The three oral medications discussed in this section include:

    • Theophylline: a long-term controller medication taken by mouth and used alone or together with inhaled corticosteroids to treat asthma.
    • Oral corticosteroids: used in combination with short-acting beta agonists (also called bronchodilators or rescue medicines) to treat moderate to severe asthma flare-ups.
    • Leukotriene modifiers (also called leukotriene receptor antagonists): medicines used for long-term control and prevention of asthma symptoms.

    Asthma Medication Quick References

    The following link is a recommended reference site for common asthma medications:

    • AAAAI Allergy and Asthma Drug Guide


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