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Families and their pediatrician or allergist should work together as a team to develop and carry out a plan that includes eliminating asthma triggers and monitoring symptoms, and a plan for what to do when a child's asthma starts to act up.
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There are two basic kinds of medication for the treatment of asthma:
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Long-term control medications -- used on a regular basis to prevent attacks, not for treatment during an attack.
- inhaled steroids (e.g., Azmacort, Vanceril, AeroBid, Flovent) prevent inflammation
- leukotriene inhibitors (e.g., Singulair, Accolate)
- long-acting bronchodilators (e.g., famoterol, Serevent) help open airways
- cromolyn sodium (Intal) or nedocromil sodium
- aminophylline or theophylline (not used as frequently as in the past)
- combination of anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator
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Quick relief (rescue) medications -- used to relieve symptoms during an attack.
- short-acting bronchodilators (e.g., Proventil, Ventolin, Xopenex, and others)
- oral or intravenous corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone, methylprednisolone) stabilize severe episodes
Children with mild asthma (infrequent attacks) may use relief medication as needed. Those with persistent asthma should take control medications on a regular basis to prevent symptoms from occuring. A severe asthma attack requires a medical evaluation and may require hospitalization, oxygen, and intravenous medications.
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