If you’ve been managing your asthma with a blue Ventolin puffer alone, it might be time for a review.
Asthma treatment has changed in recent years. For adults and adolescents aged 12 and over, the Australian Asthma Handbook no longer recommends using Ventolin (salbutamol) alone to manage asthma.
Ventolin is very effective at quickly opening the airways and relieving symptoms, but it doesn’t treat the underlying inflammation that causes asthma.
Current guidelines recommend that asthma treatment includes an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) to help manage this inflammation and reduce the risk of asthma flare-ups.
For many people with mild or occasional asthma, this may mean using an anti-inflammatory reliever (AIR) containing budesonide and formoterol when symptoms occur. For people who need regular preventative treatment, maintenance and reliever therapy (MART) may be recommended, where one inhaler can be used both regularly and when symptoms occur.
The best option will depend on your symptoms, asthma history and individual circumstances.
Is it time for an asthma review?
If it’s been a while since your asthma was reviewed, particularly if you’re still relying on Ventolin alone, it’s a good time to check in with your GP.
An asthma review is an opportunity to check how well your asthma is controlled, make sure you’re using the right inhaler, check your inhaler technique and update your Asthma Action Plan.
Don’t stop or change your current asthma medication without speaking with your doctor first.
If you haven’t had an asthma review recently, book an appointment with your GP to discuss whether the updated recommendations are relevant to you.
