Easy to find medication for shortness of breath at the pharmacy

Shortness of breath is a complaint that can be based on various causes, including asthma. The most characteristic sign of this condition is shortness of breath and a wheezing sound. Fortunately, there are several medications you can easily buy at a pharmacy to treat shortness of breath. However, don't just buy it. First understand the types and rules of use in the following review.

What are the types of medications for shortness of breath?

When shortness of breath comes, you naturally feel uncomfortable. In the book Clinical Methods quoted from the National Center for Biotechnology Information, shortness of breath is often described as being unable to take deep breaths or chest tightness. Medicine is one of the help that is used for this problem.

Well, the good news is, there are many drug choices that can be obtained easily at pharmacies, both prescription drugs and drugs that can be purchased freely. Of course, you need to buy the type of drug according to the cause of shortness of breath and its severity.

Here are a number of commonly used shortness of breath medications:

1. Corticosteroid drugs

Corticosteroid drugs are used to prevent and treat inflammation that occurs in the respiratory tract.

This drug works by suppressing the production of mucus and reducing swelling. That way, the process of getting in and out of air will be easier so that the symptoms of shortness of breath experienced by asthmatics can immediately subside.

Medicines for shortness of breath corticosteroids come in a variety of forms, such as oral, inhaled, and injectable. However, this type of drug should only be used in the short term. Because this drug has the potential for serious side effects when used in the long term.

One of the shortness of breath medications that can be purchased at the pharmacy without having to redeem a doctor's prescription is a low dose of hydrocortisone.

Meanwhile, for other high-dose corticosteroid drugs, its use must be prescribed by a doctor, such as:

• dexamethasone
• prednisone
• betamethasone
• methylprednisolone

2. Bronchodilators

Bronchodilators function to expand the airways and relax the lung muscles and airways. After taking medication for this type of shortness of breath, you can breathe more freely and comfortably.

Based on the time of action, bronchodilators are divided into two, namely:

• Fast reaction.Rapid reaction bronchodilators are usually given to someone who experiences acute (sudden) shortness of breath due to inflammation and narrowing of the airways, such as in an acute asthma attack.
• Slow reaction. Slow-acting bronchodilators are more aimed at controlling the symptoms of shortness of breath in chronic lung disease (COPD) or chronic asthma.

Here are some examples of the most commonly used bronchodilator drugs, namely:

• Beta-2 agonists, such as salbutamol, salmeterol, formoterol, and vilanterol
• Anticholinergics, such as ipatropium, tiotropium, aclidinium, and glycopyronium
• theophylline

3. Allergy medication

If your shortness of breath is caused by allergies, you may need allergy medications containing antihistamines and decongestants.

It's best to always have allergy medication on hand wherever you go when so that allergies appear, asthma symptoms can be prevented. You can get this drug over the counter without a prescription. However, make sure you read the rules of use carefully.

4. Blood thinners

Shortness of breath that you experience may also be caused by blood clots or clots in the lungs. This condition is also known as pulmonary embolism.

Therefore, the doctor may prescribe blood-thinning drugs to treat the pulmonary embolism you are suffering from, and reduce the feeling of tightness you experience.

Some examples of blood thinners that doctors prescribe include:

• rivaroxaban
• heparin
• warfarin

5. Medication for anxiety or panic disorders

Another fairly common cause of shortness of breath is anxiety or disordersanxiety disorder. This mental problem often causes the sufferer to experience panic attacks accompanied by shortness of breath.

Therefore, giving sedatives can also be a solution to overcome shortness of breath. Here are some examples of prescription sedatives:

• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors(SSRI), such as sertraline, escitalopram, and paroxetine
• serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors(SNRI), such as venlafaxine and duloxetine
• benzodiazepines, such as diazepam

Shortness of breath medication based on the duration

Talking about shortness of breath, people often identify with asthma. Asthma is a chronic disease that requires a combination of medication so that symptoms do not recur frequently. The common symptom is shortness of breath.

If your shortness of breath is due to asthma, you may need a combination of the following drugs:

1. Long-term medication

Medicines for shortness of breath given in the long term usually serve to control symptoms so they don't recur.

This drug's main purpose is prevention. That is why, you must drink it every day even if there are no recurring symptoms.

Examples of long-term medications are:

• Corticosteroids in the form of inhalers
• Theophylline
• Long acting beta agonists (LABA)
• Leukotriene modifiers

Unfortunately, some medicines may not be bought carelessly at a pharmacy. You need a doctor's referral to get it.

2. Short-term medication

If you routinely take long-term medications given by doctors and asthma symptoms rarely appear, you may not need short-term drugs that can instantly relieve shortness of breath.

Short-term medication will be very helpful when shortness of breath due to asthma recurs suddenly. This medication can loosen the constricted airways so that you can breathe better. So, you should take this drug anywhere.

Some examples of short-term drugs, aka instant relievers, include:

• short acting beta agonist
• anticholinergic (ipratropium)
• corticosteroid injections given only when asthma symptoms are severe

Read the rules for using the medicine listed on the packaging carefully and thoroughly. Don't hesitate to ask your doctor or pharmacist directly if you don't understand how to use it.

Immediately see a doctor if symptoms do not improve, get worse, or you experience additional unusual symptoms. The sooner you get to a doctor, the better.

How do you administer the medication for shortness of breath?

Broadly speaking, there are three types of common ways of giving medication for shortness of breath, namely:

• Inhaled medicine
• Drinking medicine
• Injectable drugs

Inhaled drugs can work quickly because they are directly targeted towards the airway. Some of the commonly used forms of inhalers are inhalers and nebulizers.

In addition, some are taken orally or taken by mouth. However, this type of drug works longer because it has to be digested in the intestines first and then distributed throughout the body through the bloodstream.

Not only inhaled and taken drugs, drugs can also be given in the form of injections or infusions. This type of medication is usually used in cases of shortness of breath due to allergic asthma.