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Medications for Asthma, acute

Other names: Acute Asthma; Asthma with Status Asthmaticus

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 Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
albuterol 2.8 175 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: albuterol systemic

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

Drug class: adrenergic bronchodilators

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Ventolin 4.8 21 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: albuterol systemic

Drug class: adrenergic bronchodilators

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

ProAir HFA 2.7 30 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: albuterol systemic

Drug class: adrenergic bronchodilators

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

ProAir Digihaler Rate Add review
Rx C N

Generic name: albuterol systemic

Drug class: adrenergic bronchodilators

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Ventolin HFA 5.3 3 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: albuterol systemic

Drug class: adrenergic bronchodilators

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

prednisolone 7.2 5 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: prednisolone systemic

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

Drug class: glucocorticoids

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Proventil HFA 4.0 6 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: albuterol systemic

Drug class: adrenergic bronchodilators

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Adrenalin Rate Add review
Rx/OTC C N

Generic name: epinephrine systemic

Drug class: vasopressors, adrenergic bronchodilators, catecholamines

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

epinephrine 6.3 32 reviews
Rx/OTC C N

Generic name: epinephrine systemic

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

Drug class: vasopressors, adrenergic bronchodilators, catecholamines

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

methylprednisolone 7.2 19 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: methylprednisolone systemic

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

Drug class: glucocorticoids

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Xopenex 9.5 2 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: levalbuterol systemic

Drug class: adrenergic bronchodilators

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

hydrocortisone Rate Add review
Rx C N

Generic name: hydrocortisone systemic

Brand names:  Cortef, Solu-Cortef

Drug class: glucocorticoids

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

theophylline 6.0 3 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: theophylline systemic

Brand names:  Elixophyllin, Theo-24

Drug class: methylxanthines

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Medrol 10 1 review
Rx C N

Generic name: methylprednisolone systemic

Drug class: glucocorticoids

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

MethylPREDNISolone Dose Pack 9.0 1 review
Rx C N

Generic name: methylprednisolone systemic

Drug class: glucocorticoids

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

dexamethasone 8.0 1 review
Rx C N

Generic name: dexamethasone systemic

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

Drug class: glucocorticoids

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

ProAir RespiClick 1.7 66 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: albuterol systemic

Drug class: adrenergic bronchodilators

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Xopenex HFA 9.5 4 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: levalbuterol systemic

Drug class: adrenergic bronchodilators

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

AccuNeb Rate Add review
Rx C N

Generic name: albuterol systemic

Drug class: adrenergic bronchodilators

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Cortef Rate Add review
Rx C N

Generic name: hydrocortisone systemic

Drug class: glucocorticoids

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Dexamethasone Intensol 8.0 1 review
Rx C N

Generic name: dexamethasone systemic

Drug class: glucocorticoids

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

levalbuterol 9.6 7 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: levalbuterol systemic

Brand names:  Xopenex, Xopenex HFA, Xopenex Concentrate

Drug class: adrenergic bronchodilators

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Solu-Medrol 8.5 3 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: methylprednisolone systemic

Drug class: glucocorticoids

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Vospire ER 9.0 1 review
Rx C N

Generic name: albuterol systemic

Drug class: adrenergic bronchodilators

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Medrol Dosepak 5.5 3 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: methylprednisolone systemic

Drug class: glucocorticoids

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Learn more about Asthma, acute

Mayo Clinic reference

Legend

Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
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.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
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
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
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.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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