Copyright 2005 Childrens Hospital Los Angeles
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SECONDARY CONTROLLER MEDICATIONS

These medicines, (also knows as “long acting bronchodilator” medicines), are added to the primary controllers (anti-inflammatory medicines) for added control.  These medicines are not usually used by themselves, without a primary controller medicine.  These are also used every day to try and prevent asthma from returning.

Name of Medicine What it Does When to Use it Side Effects

FORMETEROL,
SALMETEROL

Foradil©
Serevent©

(inhalers)

Relaxes the muscles around the airways

Takes 30-60 minutes to start working

Works best if taken daily

Every day, even if feeling fine

Should NOT be used to relieve an attack or flare

Fast heart rate

Headache

Stomach ache

Increased activity
THEOPHYLLINE

Unidur©

(pills)

 Relaxes muscles around the airways

Takes a few hours to start working

Works best if taken daily

Every day, even if feeling fine

Should NOT be used to relieve an attack or flare

Fast heart rate

Shaky

Stomach ache

Vomiting

Very serious side effects if too high a dosage taken

Does not mix with a lot of other medicines
ALBUTEROL

Volmax©
Repetabs©

(pills)

Relaxes muscles around the airways

Takes a least 60 minutes to start working

Works best if taken daily

Every day, even if feeling fine

Should NOT be used to relieve an attack or flare

Shaky

Stomach ache
PREDNISONE
PREDNISOLONE,
METHYLPREDNISOLONE

Medrol©
Orapred©
Pediapred©
Prelone©

(liquid or pills)

Relieves swelling (inflammation) in airways

Takes several hours to start working

Every day, even if feeling fine

Used on a long term basis only for the most severe asthma

Hunger

weight gain

Mood swings

Abnormal hair growth

Slow growth

Weak bones, fractures

Cataracts, glaucoma

High blood pressure

diabetes