Side Effects of Asthma Medication

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Medications for treating asthma can make a huge difference for people who are suffering from the condition, but there are some side effect to keep in mind. Unfortunately, a lot of people stop taking the medication when these side effects pop up and as a result their asthma gets even worse.

The type of medication has a bearing on the side effects, both in the type and the severity. These effects can range from mild jitters to something more severe. The following are some of the common medications for treating asthma, as well as the common side effects from each.

Bronchodilators

Most doctors prescribe this type of inhaler as a "rescue" inhaler. They help the muscles around the airways to relax which leads to easier breathing relatively quickly. The don't treat the underlying cause however. These treatments are technically known as beta2 agonists.

The side effect of bronchodilators are generally fairly mild, if they even occur, but if you use the inhaler more often than prescribed it can lead to problems, including an irregular or increased heart rate.

Oral Corticosteroids

Oral steroids are typically prescribed for more acute cases of asthma, when people are dealing with more severe symptoms. They help to reduce the inflammation in the lungs, along the bronchioles.

This type of treatment does have some side effects, so it is normally only used for short-term asthma management. Although in some cases, particularly if someone doesn't respond to other treatments, it may be prescribed for longer periods.

Some of the common side effects of oral steroid treatments include:

- Thinning skin
- Mood swings
- An increase in hair growth
- Insomnia

If any of the following side effect occur, contact your doctor right away:

- Headache
- Stomach pain
- Eye pain
- Swelling or pain in the calves and lower legs
- Vision problems
- Sudden gain in weight
- Problems breathing

Inhaled Steroids

The side effects of these type of steroids are much less severe than those associated with oral ones. Because of this, inhaled steroids are one of the most common treatments for asthma.

One common side effect of these medications, however, is oral yeast infections.

Whatever type of medication you may be taking to help control your asthma, if any unexpected symptoms or side effects occur you should talk to your doctor to be sure that the medication is not causing more problems than it is solving.