Very good question but the answer is that "it depends...". The reason for this is that there are several different types of inhalers. It is important that you have knowledge of how your particular inhaler works so that you also have reasonable expectations of when you can start to see an effect.
Anti-inflammatory Medication
(Effect takes a few weeks)
Also known as ICS, glucocorticoids, or cortisone.
If you have asthma, the most important thing is to ensure that the inflammation in your airways heals. Anti-inflammatory medications prescribed for asthma contain cortisone. By inhaling powders or sprays containing cortisone every day, the lining of the airways can heal, allowing your lungs to function normally. This reduces the risk of asthma attacks. It usually takes a few weeks before you notice the full effect of the medication.
Tip: Rinse your mouth and gargle your throat, then spit out after inhaling cortisone. This helps prevent issues such as fungal infections in the throat and mouth.
Combination Preparation (ICS+FABA)
(Effect after a few minutes, lasting 4-12 hours)
New guidelines for asthma care recommend inhalers that combine both anti-inflammatory and fast-acting bronchodilators. This means you should use the same inhaler daily to reduce inflammation and also as needed for quick relief. This type of inhaler ensures that inflammation is treated as soon as symptoms appear. Most often, you'll feel an immediate effect on the airways, widening them and making it easier to breathe. The effect is generally good, and with regular use, it often becomes very effective.
Fast-acting bronchodilator
(Effect after a few minutes, lasting 4-12 hours)
Also known as FABA. This inhaler is used to relieve an acute asthma attack and can also be used preventively, for example, before exertion. The medication dilates the airways by binding to beta-2 receptors in the bronchial tubes (the two airways that branch out from the trachea). This sends a signal to the muscles in the airways to relax, which dilates the bronchial tubes, making it easier to breathe and cough up tough mucus. Fast-acting bronchodilators contain one of the active substances: salbutamol, terbutaline or formoterol. You'll feel the effect within a few minutes and the duration varies about 4 hours for salbutamol and terbutaline and up to 12 hours for formoterol.
If you need to use your bronchodilator frequently, it's advisable to contact your healthcare provider. This may indicate high inflammation in the airways and a need for more anti-inflammatory medication. Fast-acting bronchodilators should not be used without concurrent anti-inflammatory treatment (see above). This is because bronchodilators only relieve symptoms, allowing the asthma to worsen without you realizing it, which can be very dangerous.
Long-acting bronchodilator
(Effect after a few minutes, lasting about 12 hours)
Also known as LABA. Long-acting bronchodilators cause dilation of the airways that lasts throughout the day and enhance the effect of anti-inflammatory medication. The active substance is either formoterol or salmeterol.
- Formoterol: The effect starts within a few minutes and lasts about 12 hours. This medication can be used both for acute asthma attacks and as a preventive treatment.
- Salmeterol: The effect begins after about 10 minutes and lasts for approximately 12 hours. Salmeterol is only used as regular preventive treatment.
Leukotriene inhibitors
(Effect after 2-3 hours, lasts for a day)
Leukotrienes are substances formed in the body during inflammation, causing constriction and swelling of the airways in asthma. This medication blocks the effects of leukotrienes, which helps reduce inflammation and improves asthma. Leukotriene inhibitors also prevent airway constriction related to physical exertion.
Treatment with leukotriene inhibitors does not replace other asthma treatments. You should continue using your other asthma medications unless your doctor advises otherwise. The bronchodilator effect of Singulair, a leukotriene inhibitor, begins after 2-3 hours and lasts for a day.
