These drugs affect the pathophysiology of asthma in different ways; some are more appropriate than others for certain levels of asthma severity.
Surprisingly, many patients with asthma do not take their medications regularly. If you do not take your controller medication as prescribed, you may be frustrated as they cannot work for you to prevent asthma symptoms. While there are many things you can do to help you remember and be more adherent, the bottom line is that controller medications need to be taken regularly to improve your asthma control.
Each of these medicines has a time and place that will depend on your particular asthma situation. If you think that you might benefit from a particular treatment or notice that you are experiencing side effects from a treatment you are currently taking, make sure that you talk with your healthcare provider and tell them why you think a particular medicine might be good for you.
These medications can be prescribed alone or may also be prescribed as a combination product with a long-acting beta-agonist (LABA), such as Advair, which combines fluticasone (ICS) with salmeterol (LABA).
