Highschool Parents: What does your teen need for their asthma?

Last updated on 18/02/2026

Starting high school is a big change. Friendships shift, puberty brings new challenges and schoolwork grows. For teens with asthma, this stage also means changes in their asthma care.

Asthma Changes as Your Teen Grows

As children grow, their asthma can change too. A growing body or changing hormones may mean a new asthma strategy is needed to keep symptoms under control.

Therefore, from around 12 years of age, doctors start to apply the asthma guidelines for adults and adolescents. Reaching this milestone also means they have more options for asthma medicines on the PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme).

One of the biggest changes is that they may now be eligible for an Anti-Inflammatory Reliever treatment plan. This type of inhaler should replace their blue puffer if that’s their only asthma treatment. International asthma experts are calling for an end to blue puffer-only treatment and this is the perfect time for you to get on board.

For those whose lungs need a bit more support, a MART Plan: Maintenance and Reliever Therapy is also an option. The MART plan requires only one device, which is used regularly, as well as ‘as-needed’ when symptoms arise.

Why do people with asthma need anti-inflammatory treatment?

In 2025, new guidelines made anti-inflammatory relievers the preferred option for adults and adolescents with asthma.

Why? Asthma is caused by inflammation in the lungs. This makes your airways extra sensitive to things like smoke, exercise, cold air and pollen. When something triggers your asthma, the airways tighten and breathing becomes harder. Blue puffers relax the airway muscles to help you breathe, but they don’t treat the inflammation underneath. Treating that inflammation can help prevent future flare-ups and attacks.

That’s why all adults and adolescents with asthma are now recommended to have some form of anti-inflammatory treatment, not just a blue puffer.

Why should a teenager use an Anti-inflammatory Reliever instead of a blue puffer?

If your teen (or tween) has been managing their asthma with only a blue puffer and no daily preventer, the guidelines recommend switching to an anti-inflammatory reliever.

A blue puffer treats only the symptoms

An anti-inflammatory reliever treats both the symptoms and the cause

For teens with mild asthma who don’t need a daily preventer, this type of asthma treatment plan can lower the risk of serious flare-ups.

If your child’s asthma is already stable using a daily preventer on a different plan with a blue puffer, that’s great. No need to make a change if they are stable.

But if your teen uses three or more blue puffers in a year, they are at higher risk of flare-ups. This means they are also at a higher risk of needing high strength oral steroids.

Talk to your tween or teen’s doctor to make sure their asthma care matches the latest advice.

How much does an anti-inflammatory reliever cost?

Thanks to the new $25 PBS prescription price cap, anti-inflammatory relievers are on par with blue relievers.

If eligible, and prescribed for regular use, you may also be able to get two for the price of one with a 60-day prescription.

Using an anti-inflammatory reliever at school

Taking an anti-inflammatory reliever to school follows the same rules as a blue puffer.

The school will need an Asthma Action Plan with clear instructions from your child’s doctor

A spare inhaler should be kept at school for emergencies

Older students may be allowed to carry their anti-inflammatory reliever with them

Work with the school to make sure your child’s asthma is well managed during the day.

Why can’t younger kids use an anti-inflammatory reliever?

Research is still ongoing about whether anti-inflammatory relievers give the same level of benefit and safety for young children as they do to adults and adolescents. They may become available in Australia for younger kids in the future. In some countries, they already are.

For all people with asthma, anti-inflammatory relievers are a prescription medicine, and your family doctor will determine if it is right for your child.

Want to know more?

For all your questions about anti-inflammatory relievers, call us. Our Asthma Educators can offer helpful support and information about how the new guidelines might apply to your teen.

Book a Call With an Asthma Educator

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