Pharmacists: Patient Asthma Management

Many people with asthma are usually prescribed more than one medication at a time, a long-term controller medication and a quick-relief medication. Small children with asthma often need to use a spacer so that inhaled medication is dispensed properly.

• Be sure all of the patient’s medications do NOT interact with one another. The patient may be taking medications of other ailments. Always double check to see if the patient is allergic to any medications.
  

• Check medication delivery device technique. Be sure the patient knows how to use the medications. Demonstrate the appropriate use of medication to the patient and subsequently reinforce at return visits as needed. The Indiana Chronic Disease Management Web site has educational hand-outs on how to use certain medical asthma devices.
  

• Ensure the medication is appropriate. Medications will differ according to age, physical limitation, and asthma level of severity.
  

• Explain the importance of taking the long-term controller medication. Patients tend to stop taking long-term controller medications if they haven’t experienced asthma symptoms for a long period of time. Explain that the long-term medications prevent symptoms, so that they will not experience symptoms if all of the medications are taken as prescribed.