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Medications for Asthma, acute

Other names: Acute Asthma; Asthma with Status Asthmaticus

About Asthma, acute:  Asthma is an inflammatory disorder of the airways, characterized by periodic attacks of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. When an asthma attack occurs, the lining of the air passages swell and the muscles surrounding the airways become tight, thus reducing the amount of air that can pass through the airway.

Drugs Used to Treat Asthma, acute

The following list of medications are in some way related to, or used in the treatment of this condition.

Drug name Rx / OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol Reviews Rating Popularity
albuterol C N 85 reviews
4.3

Generic name: albuterol systemic

Brand names:  ProAir HFA, Ventolin, Ventolin HFA, Proventil HFA, ProAir RespiClick, AccuNeb, ProAir Digihaler, Vospire ER …show all

Drug class: adrenergic bronchodilators

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

ProAir HFA C N 11 reviews
4.4

Generic name: albuterol systemic

Drug class: adrenergic bronchodilators

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Ventolin C N 11 reviews
7.4

Generic name: albuterol systemic

Drug class: adrenergic bronchodilators

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Ventolin HFA C N 3 reviews
5.3

Generic name: albuterol systemic

Drug class: adrenergic bronchodilators

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

prednisolone C N 4 reviews
8.1

Generic name: prednisolone systemic

Brand names:  Prelone, Millipred, Millipred DP, Orapred ODT, PediaPred, Veripred 20 …show all

Drug class: glucocorticoids

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Adrenalin C N Add review
0.0

Generic name: epinephrine systemic

Drug class: vasopressors, adrenergic bronchodilators, catecholamines

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Proventil HFA C N 3 reviews
6.3

Generic name: albuterol systemic

Drug class: adrenergic bronchodilators

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

methylprednisolone C N 15 reviews
7.5

Generic name: methylprednisolone systemic

Brand names:  MethylPREDNISolone Dose Pack, Medrol, Solu-Medrol, Medrol Dosepak, Depo-Medrol …show all

Drug class: glucocorticoids

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

epinephrine C N 12 reviews
8.9

Generic name: epinephrine systemic

Brand names:  Adrenalin, Adrenaclick, Adrenalin Chloride, Primatene Mist …show all

Drug class: vasopressors, adrenergic bronchodilators, catecholamines

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Xopenex C N 2 reviews
9.5

Generic name: levalbuterol systemic

Drug class: adrenergic bronchodilators

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

MethylPREDNISolone Dose Pack C N 1 review
9.0

Generic name: methylprednisolone systemic

Drug class: glucocorticoids

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Medrol C N 1 review
10

Generic name: methylprednisolone systemic

Drug class: glucocorticoids

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

hydrocortisone C N Add review
0.0

Generic name: hydrocortisone systemic

Brand names:  Cortef, Solu-Cortef

Drug class: glucocorticoids

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

theophylline C N 3 reviews
6.5

Generic name: theophylline systemic

Brand names:  Elixophyllin, Theo-24, Theochron

Drug class: methylxanthines

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, Prescribing Information

Xopenex HFA C N 4 reviews
9.5

Generic name: levalbuterol systemic

Drug class: adrenergic bronchodilators

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

dexamethasone C N Add review
0.0

Generic name: dexamethasone systemic

Brand names:  Dexamethasone Intensol, De-Sone LA, Dexpak Taperpak, Dxevo, HiDex, ZoDex …show all

Drug class: glucocorticoids

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Solu-Medrol C N 3 reviews
8.5

Generic name: methylprednisolone systemic

Drug class: glucocorticoids

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Cortef C N Add review
0.0

Generic name: hydrocortisone systemic

Drug class: glucocorticoids

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Dexamethasone Intensol C N Add review
0.0

Generic name: dexamethasone systemic

Drug class: glucocorticoids

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Prelone C N Add review
0.0

Generic name: prednisolone systemic

Drug class: glucocorticoids

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

levalbuterol C N 7 reviews
9.6

Generic name: levalbuterol systemic

Brand names:  Xopenex, Xopenex HFA, Xopenex Concentrate

Drug class: adrenergic bronchodilators

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, Prescribing Information

Medrol Dosepak C N 2 reviews
10

Generic name: methylprednisolone systemic

Drug class: glucocorticoids

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

ProAir RespiClick C N 46 reviews
1.3

Generic name: albuterol systemic

Drug class: adrenergic bronchodilators

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

terbutaline B N 2 reviews
9.0

Generic name: terbutaline systemic

Drug class: adrenergic bronchodilators, tocolytic agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions,

For professionals: A-Z Drug Facts, AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

AccuNeb C N Add review
0.0

Generic name: albuterol systemic

Drug class: adrenergic bronchodilators

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Legend

Rx Prescription Only
OTC Over the Counter
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over the Counter
Off Label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

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