Medicines

drug testing in sport

 

  • For a list of banned medications, and information on 'therapeutic use exemptions' for competitive athletes, click here to visit Drug Free Sport NZ.

An important management tool

Medication plays a very important role in the day-to-day management of asthma. Make sure that you are well-organised when it comes to your medication. Always take it as prescribed, and ensure that you never run out.

This section of our website can help you learn how and why they work. Then you will understand why it is so important to follow the rules about taking medication.

Preventer medication is probably your most important asthma medication, because it treats the inflammation inside your airways, and reduces the likelihood of an asthma exacerbation. Find out more...

Reliever medication brings short term relief from asthma by relaxing the tight bands of muscle around your airways. This helps air flow in and out of your lungs more freely. Find out more...

Symptom controllers are taken twice a day to keep the muscle relaxed, and last 12 hours. They don't have the same effect as the preventer inhalers, and a preventer is always prescribed at the same time. Find out more...

Combination inhalers contain both preventer and symptom controller medicine in one device. Combination inhalers should not be used in emergency situations. Find out more...

Prednisone is used in severe episodes of asthma. It works slowly over several hours to reverse the swelling of the airways. Find out more...