Asthma
Asthma is a long-term condition where the airways become inflamed and narrow, making breathing harder. It usually shows up as wheezing, a tight chest, breathlessness and a cough that often gets worse at night or with exercise. Symptoms come and go, and a sudden worsening is called a flare-up or attack. With the right routine, most people keep asthma well controlled and stay active.
Medicines used to treat Asthma
Ventolin Evohaler
100mcg
Indicated to address airway narrowing to alleviate symptoms.
Advair Diskus
100/50 · 250/50 · 500/50mcg
This inhaler is developed to target chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and is indicated to alleviate airway inflammation.
Beclate Inhaler
200mcg
Developed to manage persistent asthma to alleviate airway inflammation.
Seroflo Inhaler
25/125 · 25/250mcg
Utilized to target asthma and COPD to support respiratory function.
Combimist L Inhaler
Levosalbutamol, Ipratropium Bromide
50/20mcg
Utilized to manage bronchospasm to alleviate respiratory distress.
Ventolin Pills
2 · 4mg
Designed to target airway obstruction to support easier breathing.
Proair Inhaler
100mcg
Indicated to relieve wheezing and formulated to target bronchospasm in asthma and respiratory conditions.
Advair Rotahaler
50/250mg
Formulated to alleviate symptoms of asthma and intended to target airway inflammation to support improved respiratory function.
Theo-24 Cr
400mg
Formulated to mitigate respiratory restriction and indicated to support ease of breathing.
Uniphyl Cr
400mg
Formulated to support airway patency by relaxing bronchial smooth muscle cells.
Theo-24 Sr
200mg
Designed to target constricted airways, promoting improved airflow and reducing breathing difficulty.
What triggers asthma
Triggers vary from person to person. Common ones include dust mites, pollen, pet dander, cold air, chest infections, smoke and exercise. Across much of Asia, two factors stand out: high outdoor air pollution in cities like Bangkok, Jakarta, Delhi and Manila, and the seasonal haze that drifts over Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. Humid indoor conditions also favour dust mites and mould, both frequent culprits. Knowing your own triggers and reducing exposure where you can makes day-to-day control easier.
How asthma is treated
Treatment usually pairs two kinds of inhaler. A reliever such as salbutamol opens tight airways quickly during symptoms. A preventer, taken every day, lowers the underlying inflammation so flare-ups happen less often; these are inhaled steroids like budesonide, fluticasone and beclometasone. For asthma that needs more, a long-acting opener such as salmeterol is often combined with a preventer, and theophylline is used as an add-on in some cases. You can see the full range on our respiratory health pages.
When to seek help
See a doctor if you need your reliever more than a few times a week, if symptoms wake you at night, or if your usual inhaler is not easing an attack. Struggling to speak in full sentences, blue lips or a reliever that brings no relief are emergency signs and need urgent care.