Asthma Week 3: How to Give Medicines

Kids with asthma need medicines to stay well. There are two types of asthma medicines: 

1. Controller medicines keep the lungs healthy. They help your child have fewer and milder asthma flare-ups. Your child should take them as directed, even when feeling well.
2. Quick-relief medicines get air into the lungs to make breathing easier during a flare-up. They are also called "fast-acting" or "rescue" medicines. Be sure your child always carries these medicines to use as needed.

Most asthma medicines are breathed in ("inhaled") through a nebulizer or an inhaler:

• Nebulizer machines turn liquid asthma medicine into a mist. Kids breathe in the medicine through a mouthpiece or facemask. 
• Most inhalers are small aerosol cans that spray a mist of medicine for kids to breathe in. A spacer can make it easier to take in the medicine. Another option is a dry powder inhaler, which pushes out a puff of powdered medicine to breathe in.

Your doctor will explain which medicines your child needs, as well as when and how to give them. These details are written in your child’s asthma action plan. 

If you have questions about giving medicines, ask your doctor.

Asthma: Nebulizers & Inhalers

Learn how to use a nebulizer or inhaler the right way.

This publication was made possible by Grant 1C1CMS331017 from the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The contents of this newsletter are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Department of Health and Human Services or any of its agencies.