asthma: overuse of quick-relief medicines
overview
quick-relief beta2-agonists quickly reduce symptoms. for this reason, people sometimes overuse them instead of adding the slower-acting, long-term medicines. overuse of quick-relief medicines may be harmful.
if you overuse quick-relief beta2-agonists, you may feel that your asthma is under control. but, in fact, inflammation in your airways is becoming worse. this can put you in danger of having a severe, deadly attack (status asthmaticus).
overuse:
- may delay medical care.
- may increase your chances of having a severe asthma attack. a severe attack can be deadly.
- can make quick-relief medicines less effective in the future.
- treats only the early narrowing of bronchial tubes without treating long-term inflammation.
in general, you may need more long-term treatment if you are using quick-relief medicines on more than 2 days a week within a month (except before exercise). talk to your doctor if you are using your quick-relief medicine this often. using these medicines often may mean that your symptoms and inflammation are not well controlled.
credits
current as of: august 6, 2023
author: healthwise staff
clinical review board
all healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
current as of: august 6, 2023
author: healthwise staff
clinical review board
all healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
