What medicine is good for asthma cough?

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways. This makes breathing difficult and can cause coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. An asthma cough is often dry, hacking, and persistent. It can occur at any time of day or night and is one of the most common symptoms of asthma. Thankfully, there are many effective medications that can help control asthma cough.

Quick Overview of Asthma Cough Medications

Here is a quick overview of the main types of medications used for asthma cough:

  • Bronchodilators – Work quickly to open airways and relieve coughing. Albuterol and levalbuterol are short-acting bronchodilators. Long-acting options include salmeterol and formoterol.
  • Inhaled corticosteroids – Reduce airway inflammation to prevent coughing. Examples include beclomethasone, budesonide, ciclesonide, and fluticasone.
  • Leukotriene modifiers – Block inflammatory leukotrienes to reduce coughing. Montelukast is the most commonly used medication in this class.
  • Combination inhalers – Contain both a corticosteroid and a bronchodilator to attack cough from two angles. Common options are Symbicort, Dulera, Breo, and Advair.
  • Theophylline – A pill that opens airways and eases asthma cough symptoms.
  • Oral corticosteroids – Used for severe asthma exacerbations to quickly reduce inflammation and coughing.

The specific medication or combination prescribed depends on the individual patient’s needs and asthma severity. Doctors also consider side effects and patient preferences when selecting asthma cough treatments.

How Do Asthma Medications Work?

Asthma medications work in different ways to control coughing and make breathing easier. Here is a more in-depth look at the mechanisms of action for common asthma drugs:

Bronchodilators

Bronchodilators relax the muscles around the airways to quickly open them up and relieve coughing and wheezing.

Short-acting bronchodilators like albuterol provide fast relief within minutes. The effects last about 4-6 hours. These quick-relief inhalers are used as needed to treat coughing fits.

Long-acting bronchodilators like salmeterol don’t act as quickly but provide prolonged cough relief for up to 12 hours. These are used as maintenance medications to control asthma symptoms.

Inhaled Corticosteroids

Inhaled corticosteroids reduce airway inflammation, which in turn decreases coughing, mucus production, and swelling. By treating the underlying inflammation, these controller medications can prevent asthma cough from occurring in the first place.

It may take days or weeks for the full effects of inhaled steroids to kick in, so they don’t provide immediate cough relief. But regular use can keep coughing largely under control.

Leukotriene Modifiers

Leukotrienes are inflammatory chemicals released in the lungs during an asthma attack. They cause coughing, swelling, and mucus secretion.

Leukotriene modifier pills like montelukast block the action of leukotrienes. This reduces inflammation and prevents asthma symptoms like coughing.

Theophylline

This oral medication relaxes airway muscles to open the airways and improve breathing. It also reduces airway inflammation. The combined bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory effects alleviate asthma cough.

However, theophylline requires close monitoring as it can cause potentially serious side effects. It is not commonly prescribed today due to safer alternative treatments.

Oral Corticosteroids

Oral corticosteroid pills or liquids are used to gain rapid control over severe asthma exacerbations characterized by intensive coughing fits. They work systemically to potently reduce airway inflammation. A short course of oral steroids helps get coughing under control while other long-term medications have a chance to take effect.

Most Effective Medications for Asthma Cough

The most effective medications for controlling asthma cough typically include:

  • An inhaled corticosteroid to reduce underlying inflammation
  • A fast-acting bronchodilator to use as needed for quick cough relief
  • Possibly a long-acting bronchodilator for maintenance cough control
  • In severe cases, short term oral corticosteroids to rapidly reduce coughing exacerbations

Combination inhalers like Advair, Symbicort and Dulera contain both an inhaled corticosteroid and a long-acting bronchodilator in one device. This simplifies the treatment regimen. Studies show combination inhalers are highly effective at controlling asthma symptoms, including cough.

Leukotriene modifiers like montelukast are also helpful additions, especially for patients with allergy-triggered asthma cough.

The best medication approach depends on each patient’s specific needs and response to treatment. Doctors may need to adjust prescriptions to find the optimal regimen that controls coughing with minimal side effects.

Tips for Gaining Control Over Asthma Cough

Here are some helpful tips for gaining control over troublesome asthma cough:

  • Take controller medications as prescribed to prevent coughing before it starts
  • Have quick-relief medication on hand at all times to treat sudden coughing fits
  • Avoid asthma triggers like allergens, irritants, and respiratory infections
  • Stay on top of refills so you don’t run out of essential medications
  • See your doctor if your cough persist or worsens despite treatment
  • Maintain good air quality and humidity levels in your home
  • Don’t smoke or allow smoking in your home
  • Follow your written asthma action plan when cough flares up
  • Track coughing frequency to identify patterns and triggers

Of course, the most important tip is to take all prescribed asthma medications consistently and exactly as directed. The medications can’t work if you don’t take them.

Asthma Inhaler Technique

Using asthma inhalers correctly is critical for getting the full benefits of asthma medication. Poor inhaler technique can limit drug delivery and lead to poorly controlled coughing.

Here are some tips for proper inhaler technique:

  • Always use a spacer for better drug delivery
  • Shake the inhaler before each use
  • Breathe out fully before placing spacer mouthpiece in mouth
  • Press inhaler canister once to release medication into spacer
  • Take a slow, deep breath in through the mouth to inhale medicine
  • Hold breath for 10 seconds before breathing out
  • Wait 1 minute between puffs if prescribed more than one
  • Rinse mouth after use of corticosteroid inhalers
  • Clean spacer regularly per package instructions

Ask your doctor or pharmacist to show you proper technique. Check technique at follow up visits to avoid developing any bad habits. Using inhalers correctly ensures the maximum dose is delivered to the lungs.

Side Effects of Asthma Medications

Asthma cough medications are generally safe and effective when used as prescribed. However, potential side effects should be considered:

Inhaled Corticosteroids

  • Oral thrush
  • Hoarse voice
  • Sore throat

Bronchodilators

  • Heart palpitations
  • Headache
  • Tremors
  • Nervousness

Leukotriene Modifiers

  • Headache
  • Nasal congestion
  • Cough
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea

Theophylline

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Heartburn
  • Insomnia
  • Restlessness
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Seizures

Discuss any side effects with your doctor right away. Never stop treatment abruptly without medical advice. With proper management, most side effects can be minimized or avoided.

Alternative and Complementary Therapies

Some alternative therapies may help complement traditional asthma medications and relieve coughing. Options to discuss with your doctor include:

  • Salt therapy – Sitting in salt caves or breathing salty air may help reduce inflammation.
  • Acupuncture – This ancient Chinese practice may ease asthma symptoms like cough.
  • Butterbur – An herbal supplement that may reduce coughing from airway spasms.
  • Probiotics – Beneficial gut bacteria that may improve immune response.
  • Yoga and meditation – Mind-body practices shown to reduce inflammation.
  • Diet and lifestyle change – Weight loss, exercise, and allergen avoidance may help some.

There is limited evidence that these complementary remedies impact asthma. But they are generally considered safe and may provide additional relief from stubborn coughs for some people.

The Importance of Asthma Monitoring

Ongoing monitoring and follow up care is crucial when managing asthma cough. At-home objective monitoring can provide insight into just how well coughing is controlled.

Peak Flow Monitoring

A peak flow meter measures how hard and fast you can blow air out – a marker of how open the airways are. Checking peak flow two to three times per day when coughing occurs can help assess if asthma is flaring up and requires additional medication. Sudden drops in peak flow readings can signal worsening cough requiring prompt medical attention.

Symptom Journaling

Writing down coughing episodes, triggers, and medication use in a paper or online asthma journal helps identify patterns. Share this data with your doctor to determine if any medication adjustments are required to better control coughing.

Spirometry Testing

Spirometry is a breathing test done in the doctor’s office to check lung function. It’s recommended every one to two years to monitor asthma control and airway obstruction. Worsening spirometry measurements may indicate asthma medications need adjustment to better control coughing.

Exhaled Nitric Oxide

This non-invasive breath test measures markers of airway inflammation. Higher nitric oxide levels indicate worsening inflammation that may cause more coughing. This can prompt medication increases even before cough and lung function worsen.

Regular asthma monitoring provides objective data that allows for a proactive approach to cough control. Catching worsening inflammation early prevents cough from spiraling out of control.

When to See a Doctor for Asthma Cough

Contact your doctor right away if:

  • Your cough continues despite quick-relief inhaler use
  • You use your quick-relief inhaler more than twice per week
  • Your cough prevents sleep or daily activities
  • You have fever, chest pain, or shortness of breath
  • Your cough worsens after exposure to known triggers
  • Breathing becomes difficult or peak flow drops

Frequent or worsening coughs signals asthma is unstable and your current medications may need adjustment. Sudden severe attacks require prompt medical care to ease coughing and open airways. Don’t delay contacting your doctor when asthma cough seems out of control.

When to Go the Emergency Room

Seek emergency care if asthma cough progresses to a life-threatening asthma attack.

Go to the ER immediately if:

  • Your quick-relief inhaler provides no relief from coughing or breathing difficulties
  • You have trouble walking or talking due to shortness of breath
  • Your chest and neck are pulling inward as you struggle to breathe
  • Your fingernails or lips turn blue or gray from lack of oxygen
  • Your peak flow is less than half your personal best
  • You have any concerns about the severity of your symptoms

Don’t try to tough it out when asthma flares get severe. Without enough oxygen, loss of consciousness and life-threatening complications can occur. Seek emergency medical care if coughing is not quickly relieved by medication.

Conclusion

Asthma cough can be relieved with various medication options. Bronchodilators provide quick symptom relief while inhaled corticosteroids control underlying inflammation. Combination inhalers offer dual effects for optimal cough control. Leukotriene modifiers, theophylline, and oral steroids may provide added benefits for some patients. Working closely with your doctor can help determine the best medication regimen for your needs. Consistently taking prescribed medications and avoiding triggers are key to taming asthma cough over the long-term.

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