Over The Counter Meds For Asthma

These include oral and nasal spray antihistamines and decongestants as well as corticosteroid and cromolyn nasal sprays.

Over the counter meds for asthma.

Otc medications are not long term. Just keep in mind that over the counter asthma treatment is only complementary to prescription options and treatment from your doctor it should never replace prescription medication prescribed by your doctor. It is not advisable to use over the counter asthma medication unless instructed by a physician knowledgeable in the treatment of asthma. Not all professionals believe over the counter asthma inhalers like asthmanefrin should be available to consumers.

However over the counter products can sometimes help address certain symptoms associated with asthma. Discontinue over the counter asthma medications if symptoms persist 1 according to quick care symptoms that should be addressed by a physician include shortness of breath during periods of rest sleeping problems from excessive coughing and breathing troubles that lead to chest wall retraction 2 the aafa cautions asthmatics from treating symptoms on their own with over the counter drugs 1. They are for the most part considered viable only for treating mild intermittent asthma. You should talk to a doctor about your asthma symptoms and follow his treatment guidelines.

Otc medications are not long term. In addition to traditional asthma inhalers over the counter otc inhalers and medications are available that could also help with asthma symptoms. Allergy medications are available over the counter and in prescription form. A rescue medication for asthma is a medication that works within minutes to open the airways bronchodilate and provides quick relief from asthma symptoms such as chest tightness shortness of breath cough or wheezing the rescue medications for asthma include albuterol levalbuterol and ipratropium of these albuterol is by far the most commonly prescribed rescue medication for asthma.

Otc asthma inhalers are typically not recommended as a replacement for prescription asthma treatment. The available over the counter otc medications treat bronchospasm primarily and have little if any effect on airway inflammation. In fact organizations such as the american college of asthma allergy immunology the american association for respiratory care the american thoracic society and the national association for medical direction of respiratory care do not want otc inhalers. You should talk to a doctor about your asthma symptoms and follow her treatment guidelines.

Over the counter medications for asthma are generally discouraged.