Anticholinergic Drugs

• Anticholinergic drugs include ipratropium bromide, abuterol and tiotropium bromide. Popular brand names of these drugs are Atrovent, Duoneb, Combivant and Spiriva. Anticholinergic drugs work by relaxing the bronchial muscle, which reduces the risk of your bronchial wall muscle from becoming inflamed and cause wheezing. In order for the medication to work, you must take it consistently as directed by your physician. Anticholinergic drugs do not alleviate the symptoms of an asthma attack, and can only prevent it from happening. Side effects of anticholinergic drugs include dry mouth, headaches and in rare cases, wheezing.
  
  

Inhaled Corticosteroids

• There are two different type of corticosteroids: inhaled and systemic. The benefit of inhaled corticosteroids is the reduction of side effects and chemical dependency. Inhaled corticosteroids also reduces the frequency of asthma attacks as well as the severity of an attack. The inhalant works by reducing inflammation in the bronchial tubes, and must be used on a daily basis to prevent allergic reactions and asthma. Corticosteroids do not provide immediate relief and take a while to be absorbed into your body. Popular name brand corticosteroids include Asmanex, Aerobid, Pulmicort and Flovent. Possible side effects of corticosteroids include candidiasis (yeast infection of the mouth or throat), hoarseness and osteoporosis.
  
  

Systemic Corticosteroids

• If you suffer from severe asthma attacks and are currently on asthma therapy, your doctor may prescribe systemic corticosteroids. Systemic corticosteroids are oral steroids used to provide relief to asthma and allergies. Systemic corticosteroids are meant to be taken for short periods of time, and sometimes requires a high dosage to effectively relieve symptoms. Predicort, Medrol, Clinacort and Kenacort are a handful of name brand systemic corticosteroids, and should be taken as prescribed due to the possibility of severe side effects. Side effects of the medication include diabetes, stomach ulcers, high blood pressure, skin thinning and obesity.