Living With and Treating My Asthma With Rescue
I discovered I had asthma at age 22 following over two decades of breathing difficulty and coughing episodes amid after-school sports. Because I did not encounter any signs of wheezing during these flare ups, my asthma went undiagnosed for quite some time. It wasn’t until my early days of medical school when I was handed an inhaler sample by my supervising physician and noticed a true difference in my breathing that I recognized I was one of the over 20 million adults in the US impacted by this chronic lung disease.1
Though I'm the first to admit its impact on my daily life, especially when I’m feeling ill, today in my role as a practicing Asthma, Allergy and Immunology physician I think of my asthma as a strength. While I continue my own personal treatment journey, I am uniquely positioned to connect with my patients, understand the daily impacts of asthma on their lives, and work with them to find a treatment plan which could help them breathe better.
A Shift in My Asthma Care: Starting Dual-Action Rescue Therapy
The latest step in working to improve my own treatment plan was starting AIRSUPRA® (albuterol/budesonide), an FDA-approved rescue therapy for the as-needed treatment or prevention of symptoms of asthma and to help prevent sudden severe breathing problems (asthma attacks) in patients with asthma 18 years and older.2 AIRSUPRA is the first and only dual-action asthma rescue inhaler containing both a short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) to help relax the smooth muscles of the airways addressing symptoms and an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) to help decrease inflammation in the lungs.2,3 This makes AIRSUPRA unique since it is the first product containing an ICS to be approved by the FDA as a rescue therapy for asthma.3 The availability of this therapy continues to mark a shift in the way we approach asthma rescue treatment, with global asthma experts providing support for a rescue approach that treats both symptoms and inflammation.4
In the past, when I’ve come down with a cold that inevitably triggers my asthma symptoms - which for me is typically an ongoing chronic cough - I’ve turned to oral steroids, which have helped address my symptoms, but have also caused side effects like migraines and insomnia. So, when I wasn’t feeling well a couple of months back, I decided it was time to try AIRSUPRA for myself. Everyone’s asthma is different, and some may not have the same experience, but for me, I noticed a difference in my asthma symptoms in just a few days without any common side effects of AIRSUPRA, like headache and cough.2 It is important to note that AIRSUPRA is not a maintenance therapy for asthma and you should get help right away if breathing doesn’t improve or worsens. Please see below for additional Important Safety Information for AIRSUPRA.
Educating Patients on Asthma Care’s Evolution
As I help my patients manage their asthma, I continue to share information on rescue treatment options that can help prevent asthma attacks while also addressing symptoms, like AIRSUPRA, in hopes of encouraging them to consider that their rescue therapy can be doing more for them. I’ve found that those frustrated with the impact of asthma on their daily lives appreciate that we can relate on a personal level, from one person with asthma to another. Rather than just asking about their asthma symptoms, I like to pose the question, “Is there anything you like to do but you can’t because of your asthma?” This question helps me better identify the “soft signs” that my patients are adjusting their lives to manage their disease. Knowing them personally helps determine the most appropriate treatment plan that can not only fulfill their unmet need, but also help them achieve their goals.
I encourage people living with asthma who are interested in AIRSUPRA, an FDA-approved dual-action asthma rescue inhaler that is designed to treat both symptoms and inflammation,2 to learn more here. And, be sure to talk to your doctor to determine whether this asthma rescue treatment may be right for you.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Do not use AIRSUPRA if you are allergic to albuterol, budesonide, or any of the ingredients in AIRSUPRA
Before using AIRSUPRA, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions and about all the medicines you take
A dose of AIRSUPRA is 2 inhalations (puffs) as needed. Use AIRSUPRA exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to use it. Do not use AIRSUPRA more than 12 puffs (which equals 6 doses) within a 24-hour period
AIRSUPRA is not to be used as a maintenance treatment for asthma. If you are currently taking medicine long-term to maintain control of asthma symptoms, you should continue to take that medicine as directed by your healthcare provider
Do not change or stop other inhaled medicines or asthma medicines (oral or inhaled) without first talking to your healthcare provider
Call your healthcare provider or get emergency medical care right away if your breathing problems get worse, you need to use AIRSUPRA more often than usual, or AIRSUPRA does not work as well to relieve your asthma
AIRSUPRA can cause serious side effects, including:
worsening trouble breathing, coughing, and wheezing (paradoxical bronchospasm). If this happens, stop using AIRSUPRA and call your healthcare provider or get emergency medical care right away. This is more likely to happen with your first use of a new canister of medicine
heart problems, including faster heart rate and higher blood pressure
possible death in people who use too much AIRSUPRA
serious allergic reactions. Tell your healthcare provider or get emergency medical care right away if you have a skin rash, redness, or swelling; severe itching; swelling of the face, mouth, or tongue; trouble breathing or swallowing; or chest pain
changes in laboratory blood levels. Low levels of potassium (hypokalemia) may cause abnormal heart rhythms
weakened immune system and increased chance of getting infections
fungal infection in your mouth and throat (thrush). This is a common side effect. Rinse your mouth with water, if available, without swallowing after using AIRSUPRA to help reduce your chance of getting thrush
reduced adrenal function (adrenal insufficiency). This can happen when you start taking a medicine containing an inhaled corticosteroid (such as AIRSUPRA)
bone thinning or weakness (osteoporosis)
eye problems, including glaucoma and cataracts. Your healthcare provider may suggest having regular eye exams while using AIRSUPRA. Discuss any eye problems with your healthcare provider
Common side effects include headache, cough, and hoarseness. These are not all the side effects of AIRSUPRA. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist
APPROVED USE
AIRSUPRA combines 2 medicines to be used as needed as a rescue inhaler in people 18 years of age and older to:
treat or prevent symptoms of asthma
help prevent sudden severe breathing problems (asthma attacks)
Please see full Prescribing Information and Patient Information and discuss with your doctor.
You may report side effects related to AstraZeneca products (Opens new window).
References
CDC. Most Recent National Asthma Data. Accessed: June 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/asthma/most_recent_national_asthma_data.htm
AIRSUPRA® (albuterol/budesonide) [package insert]. Wilmington, DE: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP; 2024.
FDA approves drug combination treatment for adults with asthma. FDA. Published January 11, 2023. Accessed : July 2024. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/news-events-human-drugs/fda-approves-drug-combination-treatment-adults-asthma
Global Initiative for Asthma. Global Strategy for Asthma Management and Prevention, 2024. Accessed: July 2024. Available from: www.ginasthma.org
AIRSUPRA is a registered trademark of the AstraZeneca group of companies.
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