Medicines for Asthma
These 17 medicines from the Drug Guide are used in asthma. A medicine appearing here does not mean it is right for every person with the condition — your prescriber matches the medicine to you. For videos, articles and guides, visit the Asthma condition hub.
| Medicine | Brand names | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Albuterol | ProAir, Ventolin, Proventil | Asthma attacks and flare-ups; COPD flare-ups |
| Beclomethasone | Qvar, Beconase | Daily asthma control (inhaler); Nasal allergies (spray) |
| Budesonide | Pulmicort, Rhinocort, Entocort | Daily asthma control (inhaler and nebulizer); Nasal allergies (spray) |
| Dupilumab | Dupixent | Eczema (atopic dermatitis); Asthma of certain types |
| Fluticasone | Flovent, Flonase, Cutivate | Daily asthma control (inhaler); COPD maintenance (in combination inhalers) |
| Formoterol | Foradil, Perforomist | COPD maintenance; Asthma maintenance, only in combination inhalers with a steroid |
| Ipratropium | Atrovent | COPD maintenance and flare-ups; Asthma flare-ups in emergency care, combined with albuterol |
| Levalbuterol | Xopenex | Asthma attacks and flare-ups; COPD flare-ups |
| Methylprednisolone | Medrol, Solu-Medrol | Severe allergic reactions; Asthma and COPD flare-ups |
| Mometasone | Asmanex, Nasonex, Elocon | Daily asthma control (inhaler); Nasal allergies (spray) |
| Montelukast | Singulair | Asthma maintenance; Seasonal and year-round allergies |
| Omalizumab | Xolair | Moderate to severe allergic asthma not controlled by inhalers; Chronic hives |
| Prednisolone | Orapred, Prelone | Allergic reactions; Asthma flare-ups, especially in children |
| Prednisone | Deltasone | Allergic reactions; Asthma and COPD flare-ups |
| Salmeterol | Serevent | Asthma maintenance, only combined with an inhaled steroid; COPD maintenance |
| Theophylline | Theo-24, Theochron | Asthma maintenance when other treatments are not enough; COPD maintenance when other treatments are not enough |
| Tiotropium | Spiriva | COPD maintenance; Asthma maintenance (certain inhalers) |
Please note: This page is a patient-education summary, not medical advice, and it deliberately contains no doses. Medicines affect everyone differently — always follow your own prescription and talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping or changing any medicine.