Although there is no cure for asthma, there are some excellent medicines available to help you to control your asthma so that is does not interfere with your daily life.

It is important that you take your asthma medicine properly and that your doctor or asthma nurse has explained how to use inhalers properly so that every dose you take gives you the most benefit.

Use the links in this section to find out more about the different types of asthma medicines available, what they do and how to take them.

Relievers
Everyone with asthma should have a reliever inhaler. Reliever inhalers are usually blue. Relievers are medicines that are taken immediately to relieve asthma symptoms. They quickly relax the muscles surrounding the narrowed airways......

Preventer inhalers
Preventers control the swelling and inflammation in the airways, stopping them from being so sensitive and reducing the risk of severe attacks. Not everyone with asthma will be prescribed preventer medicine.........

Using your inhalers
Using an inhaler is the most common way of taking asthma medicines. It is also a very effective way because inhaling the medicine takes it straight into your lungs. It is important that you take the medicine properly... .......

Steroid tablets
If your asthma symptoms become severe, your doctor or asthma nurse may give you a short course (3-14 days) of steroid tablets. Steroid tablets work quickly and powerfully to help to calm your inflamed airways. ...........

Spacers
A spacer is a large plastic or metal container, with a mouthpiece at one end and a hole for the aerosol inhaler at the other. Spacers only work with an aerosol inhaler. ............

Nebulisers & Complementary therapies
A nebuliser is a machine that creates a mist of medicine, which is then breathed in through a mask or mouthpiece.
Many people with asthma are interested in trying treatments and therapies that do not use prescribed medicines. ........