What should you know about LTRA asthma?

Asthma causes variable narrowing and inflammation of the airways. Symptoms may include wheezing, cough and chest tightness, often after triggers such as allergens, exercise, smoke or cold air. An LTRA may be prescribed as a regular controller, particularly when allergy symptoms or exercise-related symptoms are part of the pattern. It does not replace a reliever inhaler for sudden symptoms unless your clinician specifically says so.

Allergic Rhinitis and House Dust Mite Allergy can occur alongside asthma. A treatment plan should cover both airway symptoms and trigger control.

Take the medicine on the schedule prescribed, even when breathing feels settled, and keep your asthma action plan available. Continue other inhalers unless your clinician changes them. Tell the prescriber about mood changes, vivid dreams, sleep disturbance, agitation or thoughts of self-harm; these symptoms need prompt clinical advice. Review control with a clinician if you still wake at night, limit activities or need your reliever more often.

Reduce smoke and known triggers, and use inhalers with the technique taught to you. A nebuliser may be used in some acute settings, but it is not a substitute for planned asthma review.

Seek emergency help if you cannot speak comfortably because of breathlessness, your lips look blue or grey, you become confused or drowsy, or your reliever is not helping according to your action plan. Rapidly worsening wheeze or chest tightness also needs urgent assessment.

Ask why an LTRA is suitable, when to take it, how long to judge its effect, what to do after a missed dose, which mental-health symptoms to report, and whether your inhaler technique and action plan need review.