Medications for asthma triggered by allergies

Medications that focus on treating allergy triggers (allergens) that can cause asthma include:

• Allergy shots. Allergy shots (immunotherapy) may be an option if you have allergic asthma that can't be controlled by avoiding triggers. You begin with skin tests to determine which allergens trigger your asthma symptoms. Then you'll get a series of injections containing small doses of those allergens.

  You generally receive injections once a week for a few months, and then once a month for 3 to 5 years. In some cases, immunotherapy can be done more quickly. Over time, you should lose your sensitivity to the allergens.

• Under-the-tongue (sublingual) immunotherapy tablets. Rather than getting shots, you take tiny amounts of allergen in pill form that dissolves in your mouth. Pills are usually taken daily. Sublingual immunotherapy tablets don't work for all allergens but can be helpful for grass and ragweed pollens and dust mites.

• Allergy medications. These include oral and nasal spray antihistamines and decongestants, as well as corticosteroid and cromolyn nasal sprays. Allergy medications are available in nonprescription and prescription form. They can help with allergic symptoms such as a runny nose, itchy eyes, congestion, sneezing and sinus pressure, but aren't substitutes for asthma medications.

  Nasal corticosteroid sprays help reduce inflammation and are a safe, long-term treatment for most people. Because it has few, if any, side effects, cromolyn is safe to use over long periods of time. Decongestant nasal spray should not be used for more than 2 to 3 days at a time because it can worsen symptoms when used continuously (rebound swelling).