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Kids and Asthma
Medications used in the treatment and management of asthma either relax the tight muscles around the airways and reduce or prevent inflammation of the inside airway lining. These medications relieve asthma symptoms and may prevent asthma attacks. The most common way for your child to take their asthma medication is by inhaling it directly into their lungs through their mouth, or mouth and nose. During an asthma attack, the best way for your child to take their medication is with a puffer and spacer (see below). For other times, e.g. before exercise or play, or in the daily management of asthma control, and depending on your child's age and ability to use them, other devices may be suitable. Speak with your child's doctor or asthma educator to determine the most suitable device. |
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So which medication should my child take? |
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Inhaled asthma medications are grouped according to their use, and are easily identified by the type of colours associated with that group. |
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| RELIEVERS - provide quick relief – used when symptoms are present or during an Asthma attack Blue/Grey Colours Ventolin, Asmol, Airomir, Epaq, Bricanyl
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| PREVENTERS – used in the daily management of Asthma Autumn Colours i.e. Yellow/ White/ Brown/ Burgundy/ Orange Corticosteroid inhalers: Alvesco, Flixotide, Pulmicort and QVAR Non-steroidal inhalers: Intal Forte and Tilade Possible Side Effects
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SYMPTOM CONTROLLERS – long acting relievers - used in the daily management of Asthma Possible Side Effects
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COMBINATION MEDICATIONS – combine a preventer & a symptom controller in one device
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RESCUE MEDICATION - Prednisone (Tablet) - Called "rescue medications" because they are used in an asthma attack when there is little or no response to inhaled reliever medication. Possible Side Effects
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To reduce the risk of side effects your child should use a puffer through a spacer device and also rinse their mouth with water and spit out after taking their inhaled preventer medication. They could also choose a suitable alternative device.
Ensure optimal asthma control with the least side effects. Always discuss any concerns about medications and ensure your child is reviewed regularly.
Asthma Card
In certain states, the Pharmacy Board requires a pharmacist to fill in an “asthma card” when selling any reliever inhalers (like ventolin or asmol). The aim is to monitor the supply of asthma inhalers to people with asthma and encourage better asthma management. This allows the pharmacist to assess whether you are managing your asthma well, or whether you need to see your GP. Most pharmacies charge a nominal amount for the asthma card.
This is so the pharmacist can assess whether you are managing your asthma well, or whether if you need to see your GP about it.
Your pharmacist can also help you manage medicine doses. If you are on different medicines, it is important to take the right dose at the right time to maximize their effectiveness. Your pharmacist can tell you the best times to use your medicine, as well as advise you of possible side-effects.
Pharmacies sell a range of products designed to help people with asthma control and monitor their symptoms.
Using a spacer to help administer this medication to my child?
Spacers are excellent devices to help improve delivery of inhaled medications to the lungs.
A spacer is a plastic device which acts as a holding chamber for medication for the few seconds that might elapse between activating your metered dose inhaler (MDI) and breathing in the medication.
Spacers come in a variety of shapes and sizes — they may look like a clear plastic balloon or they may just look like a tube. Your doctor, pharmacist or the Asthma Foundation in your State can provide advice on the type of spacer most suitable for your needs.
Spacers help people with asthma to inhale their asthma medication directly into their lower airways, rather than into their throats. Spacers can either fit directly into the mouth with a mouthpiece or via a face mask. The inhaler (or ‘puffer’) fits into the other end of the spacer. The asthma medication is then sprayed from the inhaler into one end of the spacer and breathed in, over a period of time, at the other end. The valves within spacers prevent the medication from escaping into the air, allowing you to breathe at your own pace while inhaling the medication.
Spacers should be used by:
- adults who have poor co-ordination using a metered dose inhaler, as you don't have to co-ordinate pressing the inhaler and breathing at exactly the same time
- children - those under 4 years old should use a small-volume spacer with a face mask, while children 4 years or older should use a large-volume spacer
- people using inhaled corticosteroids (preventer medication) via an MDI, particularly at high doses, as a spacer can help minimise some of the side effects of the medication
- people having an acute asthma attack. Giving high doses of reliever medication via an MDI and valved spacer is an effective alternative to using a nebuliser to deliver the medication. The correct number of puffs of the MDI depends on your age: consult your doctor for specific advice and make sure that this is written into your Asthma Management Plan
Spacers should be washed at least every one to 2 weeks in warm water with diluted kitchen detergent, and left to drain and air dry, without rinsing. Do not dry your spacer with a cloth as this produces static build-up that makes the medication stick to the sides.
If you're not sure how to use your spacer, or if you suspect that you're not using it effectively, ask your doctor or pharmacist to show you how to use it correctly.
The benefits of using a puffer and spacer are that it is:
- Easy to use
- Portable
- Easy to care for
It is important to remember the following when using a puffer and spacer:
- A puffer and spacer are better than using a puffer alone as more medication gets to the lungs where it is needed.
- The number of puffs given in hospital is usually more than is given at home.
- You and your child need to know how to use the puffer and spacer properly for the medication to work as well as it can.
- You and your child need to know how to care for the spacer.
Large Volume Spacers
(eg Volumatic)
How to use your Large Volume Spacer
Put together the spacer as shown in the diagram. - Remove the protective cap from the puffer
- Shake the puffer vigorously and insert it firmly into the end of the spacer.
- Place the mouth piece of the spacer in your mouth, making sure that you seal your lips around it. Hold the spacer level.
- Press the puffer ONCE to release a dose of the medicine into the spacer. Do not remove the puffer.
- Breathe in and out slowly and deeply, through your mouth, 4 or 5 times (do not remove your mouth form the mouthpiece in between each breath - there is a 2 way valve system which will prevent any of the medication from escaping from the chamber).
If a second dose is needed repeat steps 5 and 6
Make sure this has been shown to you and that you understand it.
How to care for your spacer
The spacer should be cleaned once a week
Take the spacer to bits and wash it in warm water containing a little dishwashing detergent
DO NOT RINSE, and allow to drip dry. Do not rub dry.
Small Volume Spacer
(eg Aerochamber or Space Chamber)
How to use your Small Volume Spacer
Put together spacer as shown in the diagram - Remove the protective cap from the puffer
- Shake the puffer vigorously and insert it firmly into the end of the spacer.
- Place the mask over your child's face, making sure that it covers the mouth and nose. Try to get a good seal on the skin so that no air can get in. In older children you may wish to use the mouthpiece on the spacer, rather than the mask.
- Press the puffer once to release a dose of the medicine into the spacer. Do not remove the puffer.
- Allow your child to breath in and out 4 or 5 times. This usually means leaving the spacer in position for about 15-20 seconds (do not remove the mask in between each breath - there is a 2 way valve system which will prevent any of the medication from escaping from the chamber).
If further puffs are needed, repeat steps 4 - 6.
How to care for your spacer
Take the spacer to bits and wash it in warm water containing a little dishwashing detergent.
DO NOT RINSE, and allow to drip dry. Do not rub dry.
For spacers with removable valves (eg Breath-A-Tech): ensure the 4 holes in the valve fit over the location pegs. Spare valves can be purchased from your local pharmacist.
To find out more about asthma and allergy medications and application devices available for asthma and allergies speak to our friendly staff or Contact Us. We would be happy to demonstrate these devices to you.