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Medical Author:

George Schiffman, MD, FCCP

George Schiffman, MD, FCCP

Dr. Schiffman received his B.S. degree with High Honors in biology from Hobart College in 1976. He then moved to Chicago where he studied biochemistry at the University of Illinois, Chicago Circle. He attended Rush Medical College where he received his M.D. degree in 1982 and was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. He completed his Internal Medicine internship and residency at the University of California, Irvine.

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Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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Medications

Inhaled, short-acting beta2-agonist bronchodilators are the medications most often used to prevent asthma attacks in exercise-induced asthma.

• Use two to four puffs five to 30 minutes before exercising. The medication works best if taken just before exercising.



• This class of drugs is chemically related to adrenaline, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands.



• Inhaled beta2-agonists work rapidly (within minutes) to open the breathing passages. They relax the muscles of the breathing passages, dilating the passages and decreasing the resistance to exhaled airflow, making it easier to breathe.



• They are effective in about 80%-90% of people with exercise-induced asthma.



• The effects last as long as four to six hours.



• They have no effect on the underlying cause of the asthma attack.



• They can also be used to relieve symptoms if an attack occurs.



• Side effects include rapid heartbeat and shakiness.



• Albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin) is the most frequently used beta2-agonist medication.

Longer-acting (12-hour) beta2-agonist inhalers, including salmeterol (Serevent) and formoterol (Foradil) are also available. These are more convenient for some people. For example, a child can use the long-acting inhaler before going to school in the morning to prevent an asthma attack during physical education class or recess.

Inhaled corticosteroids such as beclomethasone (Qvar), fluticasone (Flovent), and mometasone (Asmanex) are also effective therapy for exercise-induced asthma. For effect, these work better if taken a few hours before exercise.