What are "controller asthma medications"?
Asthma medications fall into two major classifications. The first major classification are what we refer to as controller medications, and just like their name they control the asthma. They in most cases have to be taken on a regular basis, and treat the underlying cause of asthma which is the inflammation. The most common types of controller medications are the inhaled corticosteroids. These medications are great advances in the treatment of asthma because the number of patients who are under very good control with inhaled corticosteroids has made a dramatic improvement in our ability to control this disease. There are other controller medications. Another class are called the leukotriene modifiers; these are usually in tablet forms that help to decrease some of the inflammatory process, but are not as effective as the inhaled corticosteroids. There are other medications called nedocromil and cromolyn that are what we refer to as mast cell stabilizers which help to stabilise the cells. However, without any doubt, the inhaled corticosteroids are the most effective controller medications. The bottom line is, ask your doctor which is the best controller medication for your type of asthma, especially you have persistent asthma. You are not going to be symptom free unless you are on a controller medication on a regular basis.
