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Asthma

Asthma is a long-term condition where the airways become inflamed and narrow, making breathing harder. It usually shows up as wheezing, a tight chest, breathlessness and a cough that often gets worse at night or with exercise. Symptoms come and go, and a sudden worsening is called a flare-up or attack. With the right routine, most people keep asthma well controlled and stay active.

Medicines used to treat Asthma

Ventolin Inhaler

Salbutamol

100mcg

Ventolin Inhaler is salbutamol 100mcg as a pressurised inhalation solution for asthma and COPD, a fast-acting beta2 agonist.

FromUS$20.40/ inhalerView

Advair Diskus

Salmeterol, Fluticasone

100/50 · 250/50 · 500/50mcg

Salmeterol with fluticasone inhalation powder in three strengths, used in the management of asthma and COPD. A long-acting beta2-agonist with a corticosteroid.

FromUS$106.55/ inhalerView

Seroflo Inhaler

Fluticasone, Salmeterol

25/125 · 25/250mcg

Seroflo Inhaler carries fluticasone with salmeterol as a pressurised suspension for asthma and COPD, a corticosteroid with a long-acting agonist.

FromUS$34.00/ inhalerView

Prednisolone

Prednisolone

5 · 10 · 20 · 40mg

Prednisolone 5mg, 10mg, 20mg and 40mg tablets, a corticosteroid for asthma, allergic reactions and inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.

FromUS$0.33/ tabletView

Key points

  • Common triggers span dust mites, pollen, pet fur, cold air and chest infections, and differ widely between people.
  • Treatment typically pairs a fast-acting reliever inhaler with a daily preventer that lowers the underlying airway inflammation over time.
  • Needing the reliever inhaler several times a week, or waking at night with symptoms, signals that control needs reviewing.
  • Trouble speaking in full sentences or blue-tinged lips during an attack are emergency warning signs.

What triggers asthma

Triggers vary from person to person. Common ones include dust mites, pollen, pet dander, cold air, chest infections, smoke and exercise. Two factors stand out: high outdoor air pollution in cities, and smoke from bushfires and planned burns. Humid indoor conditions also favour dust mites and mould, both frequent culprits. Knowing your own triggers and reducing exposure where you can makes day-to-day control easier.

How asthma is treated

Treatment usually pairs two kinds of inhaler. A reliever such as salbutamol opens tight airways quickly during symptoms. A preventer, taken every day, lowers the underlying inflammation so flare-ups happen less often; these are inhaled steroids like budesonide, fluticasone and beclometasone. For asthma that needs more, a long-acting opener such as salmeterol is often combined with a preventer, and theophylline is used as an add-on in some cases. You can see the full range on our respiratory health pages.

When to seek help

See a doctor if you need your reliever more than a few times a week, if symptoms wake you at night, or if your usual inhaler is not easing an attack. Struggling to speak in full sentences, blue lips or a reliever that brings no relief are emergency signs and need urgent care.

Further reading

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