Australian Asthma Handbook
The National Guidelines for Health Professionals
Australian Asthma Handbook
The National Guidelines for Health Professionals
Guide to asthma medicines, including types of treatment regimens, brand names, single-inhaler combinations, and inhaler types.
Asthma medicines are classified by their role in asthma management (preventers and relievers) as well as by their pharmacological and chemical classes. The mainstay of asthma treatment in adults and adolescents is the use of inhaled corticosteroids, either (1) in combination with formoterol (anti-inflammatory reliever or AIR-only therapy) as needed in response to symptoms, or (2) as regular maintenance-and-reliever therapy (MART) in combination with formoterol or as a regular maintenance treatment alone or in combination with a long-acting beta agonist (LABA). In children, treatment with inhaled corticosteroids is the main strategy available to reduce the risk of exacerbations.
Other medicines used in asthma management are neither relievers nor preventers, but have specific roles in the management of flare-ups, severe acute asthma, or severe and difficult-to-treat asthma.
Note: Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme restrictions are stated within the guidance on asthma management, where relevant.
Options not recommended as first-line treatment in children due to delivery device or concerns about systemic effects including potentially greater effects on growth