Many different medications are used to manage and control asthma. To simplify things, they are classed into three main groups: relievers, preventers, and symptom controllers. You may also hear the term combination medications. This refers to a device that has both a preventer and a symptom controller in it.
Note: These are the terms used in Australia. In other countries (e.g. USA), preventers are called ‘controllers’.
The chart below shows the commonly used medications, their benefits and possible side effects. Click on the picture or name of the medication below for more information.