Making The Most Of The Medication

For all asthma medications, it is very important to follow the doctor's instructions. Here are some tips to make the most of the medication:

• Don't stop the medication that is used to prevent attacks. Because the benefits of preventive medications are not immediate, parents sometimes stop giving the drug regularly or even discontinue it altogether. This misunderstanding of how preventive medications work is the biggest reason for their failure.

• Don't increase the dose of any medicine without talking to your health care team. Only your doctor knows whether the child needs more medication, and whether it is safe to increase the dose.

• Don't let children use more "rescue" medicine than the doctor prescribed. They are sometimes tempted to take extra doses to help with their symptoms. This can be dangerous, because it can cover up serious symptoms.

• Take the "rescue" medication at the earliest signs of an attack. Don't start taking these medications too late when breathing has become difficult.

• If there are side effects from the medication, keep track of them and tell the doctor. Often, side effects will go away on their own after a few days. If not, the doctor may want to give the child a different medication, or give the medicine in a different form.

What To Expect From Treatment

Children should be able to run and play, sleep through the night, and miss no more school than their classmates. In other words, they should lead a normal life. It is important not to accept less and to work with the doctor to achieve these results. If a plan doesn't achieve these results, it is important to tell the doctor.