Asthma: Overuse of Quick-Relief Medicines

Skip Navigation

Overview

Quick-relief beta2-agonists quickly reduce symptoms. For this reason, people sometimes overuse them instead of adding the slower-acting, long-term medicines. Overuse of quick-relief medicines may be harmful.

If you overuse quick-relief beta2-agonists, you may feel that your asthma is under control. But, in fact, inflammation in your airways is becoming worse. This can put you in danger of having a severe, deadly attack (status asthmaticus).

Overuse:

  • May delay medical care.
  • May increase your chances of having a severe asthma attack. A severe attack can be deadly.
  • Can make quick-relief medicines less effective in the future.
  • Treats only the early narrowing of bronchial tubes without treating long-term inflammation.

In general, you may need more long-term treatment if you are using quick-relief medicines on more than 2 days a week within a month (except before exercise). Talk to your doctor if you are using your quick-relief medicine this often. Using these medicines often may mean that your symptoms and inflammation are not well controlled.

Credits

Current as of: July 31, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

Current as of: July 31, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

Current as of: July 31, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

The Health Encyclopedia contains general health information. Not all treatments or services described are covered benefits for Kaiser Permanente members or offered as services by Kaiser Permanente. For a list of covered benefits, please refer to your Evidence of Coverage or Summary Plan Description. For recommended treatments, please consult with your health care provider.