Community Pediatric Asthma Service

Device

Asthma Medicines

The way we use medicines and devices in Canada may differ from other countries. Asthma medicine advice, movies and illustrations found on this website are consistent with the latest Canadian Asthma Consensus Guidelines, based on the highest levels of scientific evidence.

Why should I give my child asthma medicine?

To create useful tools...

for families which will increase the chances of success with ALL their asthma devices, we have made minor changes in our device technique instructions, which may differ slightly from the manufacturer's instructions. 

These modifications are...

widely discussed with Certified Respiratory Educators in the Calgary area and provincial representatives on the Alberta Health Services provincial pediatric asthma pathway committees.

Remember to check...

with your local pharmacy on how to dispose of unwanted/expired medication, including asthma devices.

Controller/Preventer

Controller/Preventer

Inhaled corticosteroids are generally used daily to help heal and prevent swelling in your airways and to reduce the mucus made by the bronchial tubes. Inhaled corticosteroids are often taken even when you have no symptoms to help keep your asthma under control.

More Information

Reliever

Reliever

Reliever medicine temporarily relaxes the muscles around your airways to reduce symptoms like cough, wheeze, shortness of breath, or tightness in your chest. Reliever medicine should only be used when needed. 

More Information

Oral Steroids

Oral Steroids

Sometimes asthma flare-ups cannot be controlled with your usual inhaled corticosteroid medicine. During these times, you may be prescribed an add-on corticosteroid as a liquid or pill.

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Medicine Information in 14 Languages

Asthma medicine information
is available in 14 languages:

Arabic, English, Farsi, French, Korean, 

Mandarin Simplified, Mandarin Traditional, 

Punjabi, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, 

Tigrinya, Urdu and Vietnamese.

Website 6

Resources

Walk | Run | Play | Breathe
Material on this website has been designed for information purposes only. It should not be used in place of medical advice, instruction and/or treatment.
If you have specific questions, please consult your doctor or appropriate health care professional.

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