Treatments and drugs
If you're having an asthma attack, follow the steps in the asthma plan you worked out with your doctor. If your symptoms don't improve, seek immediate medical care.
Home treatment steps to stop an asthma attack generally include taking 2.5 to 5 milligrams of albuterol (ProAir HFA, Ventolin HFA, others) every 20 minutes for an hour. You may also use a different quick-acting medication. Generally, less medication is needed for children and in adults with less severe symptoms.
Your plan for treating an asthma attack at home may include oral corticosteroid medication such as prednisone. Ask your doctor if a plan for home corticosteroid treatment of an asthma attack is right for you.
If you use a peak flow meter to monitor your asthma, peak expiratory flow readings ranging from 50 to 79 percent of your personal best are a sign you need to use albuterol or other quick-acting (rescue) inhaler medication. Routinely checking your peak flow readings is important because your lung function may decrease before you notice any other signs or symptoms of worsening asthma.