Asthma treatment and advice

If you are having an asthma attack, you need to call an ambulance to get to A&E as soon as possible for the urgent treatment you need. You’re having an asthma attack if any of the following happens:

When you go to A&E, remember to take your written asthma action plan with you. For more information on asthma attacks, visit NHS choices.

The main treatment for asthma is inhalers which can be split into two types; a preventer inhaler which you will need to use every day, even if your asthma is under control and a reliever inhaler (usually blue) to use when needed if you are suddenly short of breath.

Preventer - This opens up your airways over a period of time and reduces the inflammation in your lungs. To keep your asthma under control, you need to use this inhaler every day. Always rinse your mouth with water afterwards to avoid any soreness in your mouth.

Reliever - Keep this inhaler with you at all times and use it whenever you experience shortness of breath. It will help open your airways quickly and help you breathe more easily. You should keep a spare inhaler at work or school in case of emergencies, so ask your doctor to prescribe an extra one for you. If you notice that your current treatment is not controlling your symptoms, speak to your local LloydsPharmacy pharmacist, asthma nurse or GP for advice.

If you’re looking for an asthma treatment that uses natural methods to use alongside your prescribed asthma medications, then the REVITIVE aerosure could be the right option for you. This device features a unique dual function to aid breathlessness by strengthening your lungs if used regularly. It also provides lung relief by vibrating the airways to add sputum removal. The Aerosure uses a spinning valve to quickly open and close the flow of air in and out of the lungs, this is done as you breathe through the mouthpiece. Ensure to seek the advice of your GP before using this product.

In order to properly manage your condition, you may need extra treatments alongside your preventer and reliever inhalers. Your GP might call these ‘add-on treatments’ or ‘add-on therapies’ and they work in various ways, alongside your inhalers. Before prescribing an add-on asthma treatment, your GP or asthma nurse will check that you’re using your inhaler properly and taking it every day, as directed.

You’ll usually be prescribed one add-on treatment at a time to see if it makes a difference. If it doesn’t improve your asthma within a few weeks, your GP may stop it and try another one. Common add-on treatments include leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs), theophylline and long-acting reliever inhalers. It’s really important to be honest with your GP about how you’re feeling. It can be helpful to keep a diary while you’re trying an add-on asthma treatment to track if symptoms improve or get worse.

Leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs) - Sometimes called ‘preventer’ tablets, LTRAs work by blocking one of the chemicals that is released when you come into contact with a trigger so are particularly effective if your asthma is triggered by exercise or allergies.

Theophylline - This medication works by relaxing the muscles that surround the airways, making it easier to breathe. If you’re prescribed this medicine, you’ll need regular blood tests to check the levels are neither too high nor too low.

Long-acting reliever inhalers -There are two different types of long-acting reliever inhalers; long-acting beta agonists (LABA) and long-acting muscarinic receptor antagonists (LAMA). They both keep your airways open by relaxing the muscles around them, which helps you breathe more easily. Plus, LAMA inhalers have also been shown to reduce the amount of mucus produced in your airways.

If you’re prescribed any additional medicines, it’s important that you use them alongside your usual preventer inhaler.

There’s a range of different types of inhalers that you might be prescribed, but mostly they fall into two categories; preventer or reliever. Each one has a particular technique that needs to be used to receive the right dose of asthma medicine.

Follow the treatment directions given to you by your GP – and don’t forget you can visit any LloydsPharmacy and talk to us about how we can support you. We’re happy to talk about how you’re managing your asthma and we can answer any questions or concerns you have and offer our expert advice.