Rescue and Controller/Preventive Medicines
My doctor gave me a rescue medicine and a controller/preventive medicine…what is the difference?
If your child has asthma or asthma-related breathing problems, you may be familiar with rescue (sometimes called “quick relief”) medicines, like albuterol or oral steroids (prednisone or methylprednisolone), which are used to provide fast relief from sudden asthma symptoms that accompany attacks. But, rescue medicines are not meant to be used every day.
Controller (sometimes called “preventive” or “maintenance”) medicines are meant to be used every day. When used as prescribed, they help prevent asthma symptoms and attacks on an ongoing basis. Some medicines, such as PULMICORT RESPULES, work by helping to prevent the underlying inflammation, which cause asthma symptoms and attacks from getting worse. It’s important to remember, though, that because they aren’t rescue medicines, controller medicines should not be used to treat sudden symptoms.
