Asthma medicines help kids breathe easy. They keep the airways from swelling, getting irritated, and narrowing.
When kids take their medicines as directed and avoid asthma triggers, their asthma is under control and they can do just about anything.
Asthma medicines generally work in two ways:
Some kids will get both types of medicines from one inhaler device. They might need to use this “combination” inhaler every day to prevent symptoms, with added doses from it when they have symptoms. Some older kids with mild asthma might use a combination inhaler only for quick relief when they have symptoms, or before they exercise. Your health care team will help you figure out which inhaler is best for your child, and how and when to use it.
For a more severe flare-up, sometimes doctors prescribe oral (taken by mouth) steroids for 5–7 days. These work more quickly to reduce inflammation when inhaled medicines aren’t quite enough. If someone has a flare-up that's severe enough to need treatment in the ER, they might get medicines by injection.
When asthma medicines are given through an inhaler, it's important to use a spacer, which helps deliver as much medicine as possible into the airways.
The medicine your child uses for quick symptom relief should always be kept on hand. That means at home, at school, at the mall, at sports practice, and even on vacation. Talk with your doctor about how often your child needs it. If it's too often, the doctor also might prescribe a daily anti-inflammatory medicine to help prevent asthma flare-ups.
Your doctor will decide which type of medicine your child needs based on their symptoms and how often they happen. Tell your doctor about any concerns or changes in the symptoms. That will help them find the best treatment and make updates when needed.
For many kids, the type of medicine used and its dosage will change as they grow and their symptoms change.
Learn step-by-step how to use a nebulizer for asthma.
Learn step-by-step how to use a dry powder inhaler for asthma.
Learn step-by-step how to use an inhaler with a spacer for asthma.
Learn step-by-step how to use an inhaler without a spacer for asthma.
Reviewed by: Nemours Medical Experts
Date Reviewed: Sep 10, 2023