Relievers are inhaled medications (usually blue inhalers), which relax the muscles that have tightened up in the breathing tubes. They should be taken immediately asthma symptoms appear as they are essential in the prompt treatment of an asthma ‘attack’. They don’t have a lasting effect like preventers.

Relievers are only used when needed and wear off in a matter of hours. When you feel tight in the chest or are coughing and wheezing from running, going into cold air, breathing dust or stroking the cat, relievers should be used.

There are three groups of asthma relievers:

Beta-2 agonists
These cause the airways to relax and widen. For example salbutamol and terbutaline act for 3-4 hours. These are inhaled through various devices and work within minutes to open the airways.

Short-acting beta-agonists available in Ireland:
Asmasal clickhaler
Bambec tablets
Bricanyl inhaler
Bricanyl respules
Bricanyl SA tablets
Bricanyl turbohaler
Bricanyl expectorant syrup
Bricanyl injection
Bricanyl syrup
Pulvinal salbutamol inhaler
Ventolin evohaler
Ventolin injection
Ventolin nebulas
Ventolin respirator solution
Ventolin syrup
Ventolin concentrate for IV infusion
Ventolin diskus
Ventolin tablets 2mg &4mg

Anticholinergics
These medicines stop nerve impulses from contracting and narrowing the muscles in the airway. They work particularly well if the airways have been narrowed by other illnesses, such as chronic bronchitis.

Medicines available in Ireland include:
Atrovent inhaler
Atrovent inhaler CFC-Free
Atrovent UDVs
Atrovent UDVs 1m.
Atrovent UDVs 2ml
Combivent metered aerosol
Combivent UDVs

Effects of Relievers
Reliever medicines work very quickly and will deal with an asthma attack, relaxing the tightened muscles and allowing you to breathe freely again. An inhaled reliever is useful before exercise.

Side effects are not common but include shakiness and a fast heartbeat lasting about half an hour or so.

Doses of relievers can be increased during an asthma attack. However, medical help should be sought if the usual relief is not felt.

If a reliever is regularly used more than three or four times a week, you should see your doctor as a preventer medication may also be needed.

Steroid treatment is very effective for an attack of asthma that is not clearing with inhaled medicines. The build-up of swelling and mucus in the breathing tubes is tackled and the usual medicines will start to work again. These are taken in short courses over a number of days as discussed with your doctor.

Always carry your reliever medicine with you and use it to deal with symptoms. Make sure you have a good supply and are not likely to run out. You will need to check with your doctor or nurse that you are using your inhaler correctly to get maximum benefit from your medication.

Asthma medicines are safe (including during pregnancy) and are not addictive.

Relievers:
Relax muscle around the breathing tubes.
Treat symptoms but do not treat the inflammation.

For more information, contact the Asthma Society of Ireland on freephone, 1850 44 54 64.

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