What Are the Options for Exercise Induced Asthma Treatment?

Question: What Are the Options for Exercise Induced Asthma Treatment?

Answer: Exercise induced asthma may manifest itself as poorly controlled asthma or you may just develop symptoms with exercise or activity. If you have poorly controlled asthma and symptoms with exercise, treating the poorly controlled asthma may be the most beneficial strategy for you. On the other hand, exercise induced asthma can generally be prevented using one of the following inhaled medications:

• Rapid-acting bronchodilator: Using two puffs of a rapid-acting rescue medication, like albuterol or formoterol, 10 minutes before activity may prevent exercise induced asthma symptoms.
• Intal (cromolyn sodium): Intal can also be used for the prevention of exercise induced asthma and may be used in combination with a rapid-acting rescue medication.

For children and adults who may exercise intermittently during the day and are not able to take a medication before each activity, a long-acting bronchodilator (LABA) or leukotriene inhibitor may be used.

• Long-acting bronchodilators: LABAs, like salmeterol and formoterol, while not recommended as sole treatment for asthma can be used for exercise induced asthma. Salmeterol and formoterol should be taken 30 and 5 minutes before exercise, respectively. Neither should be taken more frequently than every 12 hours.
• Leukotriene inhibitors: Leukotriene inhibitors, like Singulair (montelukast) and Accolate (zafirlukast), can be used to prevent exercise induced asthma symptoms in patients who need a longer period of protection or have a problem using inhalers.

What Do If I Still Develop Symptoms?

If you develop wheezing symptoms or bronchoconstriction (airway narrowing) after beginning exercise or forgot to take medication prior to beginning exercise, you will want to use your rescue inhaler and follow your asthma action plan.

_Sources:

_{O'Byrne, Paul. Patient Information. Accessed May 5, 2009. Exercise Induced Asthma}

_{Storms WW. Accessed May 22, 2009. Asthma Associated With Exercise. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2005 Feb;25(1):31-43.}