Other names: AIR, Dual-Purpose Reliever, ICS/formoterol.  

Anti-inflammatory relievers are specific versions (strengths and combinations) of existing asthma medicines.  They include: Bufomix Easyhaler 200/6, DuoResp Spiromax 200/6, Rilast Rapihaler 100/3, Rilast Turbuhaler 200/6, Symbicort Rapihaler 100/3, Symbicort Turbuhaler 200/6. 

Bufomix Easyhaler 200/6	DuoResp Spiromax 200/6	Rilast Rapihaler 100/3
Rilast Turbuhaler 200/6	Symbicort Rapihaler 100/3	Symbicort Turbuhaler 200/6

Anti-inflammatory relievers offer a different approach to managing mild asthma. They may suit people with mild asthma who currently use a daily low-dose preventer alongside an as-needed reliever. 

Note that an ‘anti-inflammatory reliever’ (AIR) treatment program is different to Maintenance and Reliever Therapy (MART). AIR is when the inhaler is used only as-needed, whereas MART is used for maintenance doses every day.  

HOW DO ANTI-INFLAMMATORY RELIEVERS HELP ASTHMA?

Anti-inflammatory relievers relax tight airway muscles and treat inflammation in the airways.   

Anti-inflammatory relievers contain two medicines in one inhaler: budesonide and formoterol fumarate.  

• Budesonide belongs to a group of medicines called corticosteroids and is anti-inflammatory. Budesonide acts directly on your airways to reduce inflammation. Corticosteroids are also used in preventer inhalers. 

• Formoterol belongs to a group of medicines called ‘rapid-onset beta-2-agonists’ and is a reliever. Formoterol opens up the airways to help you breathe more easily.  

The combination of budesonide and formoterol in the anti-inflammatory reliever, when used as needed, can relieve symptoms and reduce your chance of having more serious asthma flare-ups.  

Anti-inflammatory relievers are a treatment option for mild asthma only. Mild asthma is when you:  

• only experience a few rare symptoms  

• don’t wake at night due to symptoms and   

• have not experienced a flare-up in the past year   

It is important to recognise and treat your asthma symptoms, even if they are mild or rare.   

WHEN DO I USE MY ANTI-INFLAMMATORY RELIEVER?

Use your anti-inflammatory reliever inhaler for the same reasons as using a blue/grey reliever inhaler. You should use it as needed to relieve your asthma symptoms. You can also use it before exercise or when you know you are going to have contact with or experience a known trigger (e.g. allergen, dust, vacuuming).   

If you are finding your symptoms continue over two or three days despite using your anti-inflammatory reliever see your doctor for an asthma review.   

If your asthma symptoms increase, you can take more doses to relieve the symptoms to the maximum doses below (or as directed by your doctor). If you need more doses than shown below, see your doctor, or seek medical attention as soon as possible, as you may be having an asthma flare up.  

You do not need to rinse and spit every time after using an anti-inflammatory reliever.  However, if you find you are getting side effects like a sore mouth or throat, rinsing, gargling and spitting after use may help. We recommend to always rinse, gargle and spit if you are using a daily inhaled corticosteroid preventer.  

USING YOUR ANTI-INFLAMMATORY RELIEVER FOR ASTHMA FIRST AID

 If you’re prescribed an anti-inflammatory reliever, you no longer need a separate blue/grey reliever. 

If you do have a flare-up or asthma attack, use your anti-inflammatory reliever for symptom relief.  

You can download and print the steps for Asthma First Aid using your anti-inflammatory reliever here. 

It’s best to keep your own anti-inflammatory reliever on you at all times. But if you don’t have access to your anti-inflammatory reliever in an emergency, it is ok to use a blue/grey reliever for first aid.

SIDE EFFECTS OF ANTI-INFLAMMATORY RELIEVERS

Some common side effects of anti-inflammatory relievers may include: 

• Heart palpitations (Fast or irregular heart rate) 

• Oral/mouth thrush (sore, yellowish raised patches in the mouth) 

• Headache 

• Tremor 

• Mild irritation in the throat, coughing, hoarseness 

Please read the Consumer Information or Product Information below for a complete list of possible side effects.