Asthma medicine in pregnancy

Asthma is a common long-term lung condition. During pregnancy, most patients need to continue treating it using asthma medicine. As a chronic respiratory disease, asthma narrows the airways, which can lead to coughing attacks and shortness of breath. These symptoms can persist during pregnancy. Asthma medicine plays a very important role in pregnancy because without suitable medication, asthma can get worse during pregnancy, particularly in the last trimester. This is especially the case among patients who have severe persistent asthma before becoming pregnant.

Causes of asthma

Asthma is often caused by a predisposition that leads patients to have inflamed bronchial tubes that are highly sensitive. Asthma attacks may be triggered by various factors, including medication, dust, house dust mites, animal fur, pollen, tobacco smoke, air pollution and exercise. This is also the case during pregnancy.

Asthma treatment and asthma medicine during pregnancy

Asthma usually needs to continue to be treated using medicine during pregnancy. Asthma can be treated using a range of different asthma medicines or active ingredients. You may have questions about how safe these medicines are during pregnancy:

• Inhaled corticosteroids, e.g. budesonide (Budenobronch, Budiair, Larbex Steri-Neb, Miflonide Breezhaler, Novopulmon, Pulmicort, Symbicort Turbohaler, Pulmelia, DuoResp Spiromax, Bufori Easyhaler), beclometasone (Beclomet, Junik, Sanasthmax, Ventolair, Foster, Inuvair, Trimbow), fluticasone (Avamys, Flutide, Atmadisc, Flusarion, Rolenium, Viani, Flutiform, Elebrato Ellipta, Relva, Revinty, Trelegy Ellipta) and mometasone (Asmanex Twisthaler, Ecural, Atectura Breezhaler, Enerzair Breezhaler)
• Short-acting beta-2 sympathomimetics, e.g. salbutamol (Bronchospray, Pentamol, Salbu Easyhaler, Salbulair, Salbutamol-Ratiopharm, Sultanol, Ventilastin, Combiprasal, Ipramol Teva Steri-Neb), terbutaline (Aerodur Turbohaler, Bricanyl), fenoterol (Berodual, Berotec) and reproterol (Aarane, Allergospasmin, Bronchospasmin)
• Leukotriene receptor antagonist montelukast (Montelubronch, Montelunio, Singulair)
• Long-acting beta-2 sympathomimetics, e.g. salmeterol (Serevent, Atmadisc, Flusarion, Serkep), formoterol (Bevespi, Brimica, Bufori, Duaklir Genuair, DuoResp Spiromax, Flutiform, Foradil, Forair, Formatris Novolizer, Inuvair, Oxis), olodaterol (Striverdi Respimat, Spiolto Respimat), vilanterol (Anoro Ellipta, Elebrato Ellipta, Laventair Ellipta, Relvar Ellipta, Revinty Ellipta) and indacaterol (Atectura Breezhaler, Enerzair Breezhaler, Onbrez Breezhaler, Ultibro Breezhaler, Ulunar Breezhaler)
• Long-acting anticholinergics, e.g. ipratropium bromide (Atrovent, IpraBronch), aclidinium bromide (Bretaris Genuair, Eklira, Brimica, Duaklir Genuair), tiotropium (Acopair, Braltus, Spiolto Respimat, Spiriva, Srivasso) and umeclidinium bromide (Anoro Ellipta, Elebrato Ellipta, Incruse Ellipta, Rolufta Ellipta)
• Oral corticosteroids, e.g. prednisolone (Decortin H), prednisone (Decortin, Lodotra), hydrocortisone and methylprednisolone (Metypred)

Risks of asthma during pregnancy

If asthma is not treated sufficiently using asthma medicine during pregnancy, this poses various risks for both the mother (e.g. vomiting, high blood pressure, pre-eclampsia, bleeding and complications during delivery) and child (e.g. stillbirth, poor growth of the foetus in the womb, premature delivery, low birth weight). It is therefore very important that asthma continues to be treated correctly using asthma medicine during pregnancy. There are certain medicines of choice for treating asthma in pregnancy and these should be prioritised wherever possible.

Find out whether your asthma medicine is safe for you and your baby during pregnancy

You are just 3 simple steps away from your personal consultation

At home – no visit to the doctor – no hassle

Book

Choose the type of consultation and book an appointment online.

Tell us about yourself

Answer a few questions about your situation and tell us which medicines you need advice about.

Receive advice

Receive personalised advice about the safety of your medicines during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Book a consultation now