A note about over-the-counter asthma medicine

Most asthma medications are only available with your doctor's prescription. A few inhaled quick-reliever medications, however, are sold over-the-counter at drugstores. These general medications are advertised to treat asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and other lung disease. Don't use them. As you've learned, everyone's asthma is different. Together, you and your doctor can decide which, and how much, medication is right for you. Simply puffing on an over-the-counter inhaler whenever you feel short of breath will not improve your asthma. And it may even make your symptoms worse.