Asthma: Overuse of Quick-Relief Medicines
Topic Overview
Medicines for quick relief of the narrowed bronchial tubes caused by asthma include short-acting beta2-agonists. These medicines relieve sudden increases of symptoms ( asthma attacks ) quickly. But overuse may be harmful.
Overuse of short-acting beta2-agonists has been associated with worsening asthma and increased risk of death. footnote 1 People who have severe asthma usually are the ones at greatest risk for illness and death from asthma. They may be taking higher doses of short-acting beta2-agonists to control their symptoms instead of increasing the use of anti-inflammatory medicine such as inhaled corticosteroids .
People who overuse short-acting beta2-agonists may feel their asthma is under control when, in fact, inflammation in the airways is becoming worse, putting them in danger of a severe, life-threatening attack ( status asthmaticus ).
Overuse:
- May delay medical care and increase your chances of having a severe asthma attack that can be life-threatening.
- Can decrease the future effectiveness of these medicines.
- Treats the early narrowing of bronchial tubes without treating long-term inflammation.
In general, you may need more long-term treatment if you are using short-acting beta2-agonists on more than 2 days a week (except before exercise). Talk to your doctor if you are using your quick-relief medicine this often. Frequent use of quick-relief medicines may mean that your symptoms and inflammation are not well controlled.
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Current as of: February 24, 2020
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review: John Pope, MD, MPH - Pediatrics
Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Elizabeth T. Russo, MD - Internal Medicine
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Current as of: February 24, 2020
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review: John Pope, MD, MPH - Pediatrics & Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine & Elizabeth T. Russo, MD - Internal Medicine