Regular use of asthma prevention and treatment drugs for children, what are the long-term effects?

Reader Thu An, 25 years old, Female, HCMC: Doctor, can asthma be cured completely? My child is 2 years old, often has asthma attacks, does taking Salbutamol and Pulmicort regularly affect his health later on? He has also been taking Montelukast for more than 6 months now. I am worried about the long-term effects of the drug. I hope the doctor can give me more advice.

Reader Thu An, 25 years old, Female, HCMC: Doctor, can asthma be cured completely? My child is 2 years old, often has asthma attacks, does taking Salbutamol and Pulmicort regularly affect his health later on? He has also been taking Montelukast for more than 6 months now. I am worried about the long-term effects of the drug. I hope the doctor can give me more advice.

Dr. Huynh Thi Mai Ly - Department of Internal Medicine and Respiratory Medicine - South Saigon International General Hospital:

Hello Thu An,

The doctor sympathizes with your concerns for your little angel. In your baby's case, the doctor advises as follows:

Asthma or bronchial asthma is a chronic respiratory disease common in children and adults.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition of the airways, causing increased constriction, swelling, and increased mucus secretion. People with asthma often have symptoms such as wheezing, difficulty breathing, chest tightness, prolonged cough, etc. In young children, asthma has different symptoms, affecting sleep and daily activities. Some severe cases have acute asthma attacks requiring hospitalization.

Asthma is a disease that is difficult to cure completely. But asthma in children can be controlled by taking the child to regular check-ups, preventing the risk of lung damage, helping the child's lungs develop normally.

In particular, for children under 5 years old, asthma symptoms can be confused with symptoms of bronchiolitis, an acute respiratory infection that can be treated after the child turns 5 years old. If the child under 5 years old has symptoms of suspected asthma, it is best for parents to take the child to a pediatric respiratory clinic for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan.

Salbutamol is a bronchodilator that helps treat respiratory diseases such as asthma (bronchial asthma), acute asthma, chronic bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Pulmicort (full name: Pulmicort respules) is an aerosol medicine commonly prescribed in the treatment of asthma and acute laryngotracheobronchitis.

However, regular use of Salbutamol and Pulmicort will cause some side effects, commonly: rapid heartbeat, hand tremors, stomach pain, muscle pain, sleep disorders, affecting the health of children.

Meanwhile, Montelukast is a drug used to prevent and treat asthma or bronchial asthma, often prescribed in the mild stage of the disease, to prevent asthma symptoms. Montelukast also has common side effects that need to be noted when used for children such as: headache, stomach ache, cough, diarrhea, etc.

In summary, all three of these medications must be used as prescribed by a doctor, especially for young children diagnosed with asthma. Parents should not use medications on their own and must closely monitor the side effects of the medication on their children, thereby receiving timely advice and adjustments from the doctor.

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/dung-thuoc-ngua-va-tri-hen-suyen-thuong-xuyen-cho-tre-anh-huong-lau-dai-ra-sao-post754320.html