Asthma Treatments & Groups providing resources to individuals in need

Asthma makes breathing difficult. It’s a long-lasting lung disease and the most common long-lasting disease in children. In fact, nearly 7% of kids in Texas - more than 492,000 - have asthma.1 Currently, there isn’t a cure, but asthma can be managed so that people with asthma can lead normal lives.

An asthma attack occurs when something - a trigger - bothers the lungs and makes it hard for the person to breathe. A few asthma triggers are smoke, pollen, and even pets. Asthma can cause wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing.

Managing Asthma: The Role of Inhaled Steroids and Biologics

Inflammation is a constant presence in asthma and requires proactive management through daily inhaled steroids. While many individuals may feel apprehensive about the term "steroid"—and understandably so—daily doses of inhaled steroids represent a safer approach to managing asthma. These medications deliver treatment directly to the airways, targeting the site of action without the need for systemic absorption. ( Examples QVAR,https://hcp.qvar.com/, Asmanex https://www.asmanex.com/, Budesonide

Brand name: Pulmicort Flexhaler

Why Daily ICS Use Matters

When inflammation isn’t controlled, asthma symptoms—such as coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath—can flare up, often leading to over-reliance on rescue inhalers like albuterol. These medications offer quick relief, but they don’t treat the underlying inflammation that causes those symptoms.

New Options: Combining Relief and Control

Recent advances have changed the way we approach asthma care. AstraZeneca’s AIRSUPRAhttps://www.airsupra.com/ (albuterol + budesonide) combines a fast-acting bronchodilator with an inhaled steroid—giving patients immediate relief while treating inflammation at the same time. This innovation has been a game-changer for patients who struggle with consistent controller use, ensuring they receive anti-inflammatory benefits whenever they reach for symptom relief.

The budesonide in AIRSUPRA is the same inhaled steroid used in Pulmicort and as part of combination inhalers like Symbicort and Breztri. These products have proven track records in helping patients maintain control, reduce flare-ups, and minimize emergency visits.

The Goal: Fewer Systemic Steroids, Better Daily Control

Systemic steroids (like prednisone, Orapred, or Solu-Medrol) can be lifesaving during severe exacerbations but shouldn’t be relied upon for long-term management due to potential side effects. By controlling inflammation daily with ICS or ICS-combination therapy, patients can greatly reduce their need for systemic steroids.

Best Practices for Inhaler Use

• Always use a spacer when possible—it helps deliver more medicine to the lungs and less to the throat.
• Rinse your mouth after each use of an inhaled steroid to prevent irritation or yeast infections.

With proper use and consistent care, inhaled corticosteroids—and newer combination therapies—can truly help patients breathe easier and live more confidently.

In addition to inhaled steroids, a newer class of medications known as biologics has shown significant success in managing atopic conditions. These treatments offer life-changing relief for many patients. Conditions such as chronic urticaria and eczema, which were once seen as lifelong challenges with minimal relief, now have effective treatment options that provide lasting improvement.

Drug (Brand) & What Asthma or Allergy Types It Treats

Omalizumab (Xolair) Anti-IgE -  Allergic asthma; also for chronic urticaria; helps reduce allergic-triggered exacerbations.  https://www.xolair.com/chronic-spontaneous-urticaria.html

Mepolizumab (Nucala) Eosinophilic asthma (severe eosinophilic phenotype) https://www.nucala.com/

Reslizumab (Cinqair)Severe eosinophilic asthma in adults who haven’t responded well to other treatments https://www.cinqair.com/

Benralizumab (Fasenra)Eosinophilic asthma; also used in conditions where eosinophils are high. https://www.fasenra.com/

Dupilumab (Dupixent) Works broadly in type 2 asthma (allergic + eosinophilic); also atopic dermatitis and nasal polyposis etc. https://www.dupixent.com/https://www.dupixent.com/

Tezepelumab (Tezspire) Approved for severe asthma without biomarker/phenotype restrictions—useful when the asthma is hard to classify. (Amgen)https://www.tezspire.com/

Combo Inhalers

TRELEGY https://www.trelegy.com/

BREZTRI  https://www.breztri.com/