Reliever inhalers

Your reliever inhaler helps when you get asthma symptoms or have an asthma attack. 

It contains a medicine called a bronchodilator which quickly opens your airways and helps you breathe more easily.

Reliever inhalers are also sometimes called rescue inhalers.

Make sure you have your reliever inhaler with you all the time, so it’s there if you need to use it.

Most reliever inhalers are blue. But some combination inhalers can be used as relievers too.

Some people may be prescribed a Brycanyl turbohaler. This is a reliever inhaler containing terbutaline. Speak to your GP or nurse about whether this is the best inhaler for you to use if have an asthma attack. 

A lot of people have a blue reliever inhaler. Blue reliever inhalers contain a medicine called salbutamol which can quickly open your airways. Ventolin, Easi-Breathe, and Easyhaler are examples of salbutamol inhalers.

Blue relievers do not contain steroid medicine so they cannot treat inflammation in your airways. You need to use a steroid preventer inhaler every day too to keep down inflammation in your airways. This will lower your risk of having asthma symptoms or an asthma attack. 

Do not rely on just a blue reliever inhaler. If you only use a blue reliever inhaler for your asthma, even if it’s only now and then, you could be putting yourself at risk from worsening symptoms and asthma attacks. Speak to your GP or nurse to make sure you’re on the right treatment plan for you. Dr Andy Whittamore, Asthma + Lung UK’s GP.

Combination inhalers used for MART (Maintenance and Reliever Therapy) or AIR (Anti-inflammatory Reliever) treatment plans contain both a steroid preventer medicine and a fast-acting reliever medicine called formoterol.

MART and AIR combination inhalers can be used as your reliever inhaler if you have symptoms or an asthma attack. You do not need a blue reliever inhaler as well.

Not all combination inhalers can be used as your reliever

If your combination inhaler does not contain formoterol, you cannot use it to relieve your asthma symptoms quickly. You need to use a blue reliever if you get symptoms or have an asthma attack.

Ask your GP, nurse, or pharmacist if you’re not sure what type of combination inhaler you’re using.

Find out more about MART.

Find out more about AIR.

You should only need to use your reliever inhaler occasionally when:

• you get asthma symptoms
• you’re having an asthma attack.

Your asthma action plan tells you when to use your reliever inhaler, and how to use it if you have an asthma attack. It’s a good idea to share your asthma action plan with friends and family so they know how to help you if you get symptoms or have an asthma attack.

Some people use their reliever before exercise. Not everyone needs to do this. Speak to your GP or nurse if exercise triggers your symptoms as it could be a sign that your asthma is not as well controlled as it could be. Dr Andy Whittamore, Asthma + Lung UK’s GP.

Reliever inhalers are a safe and essential treatment for asthma symptoms. They have very few side effects. You’re more likely to notice any side effects if you use more puffs than recommended for your reliever inhaler.

Some people notice that they feel a bit shaky, or their heart beats faster than normal. These side effects usually pass quickly and are not dangerous. But they can feel uncomfortable, especially alongside other symptoms you may be having.

See your GP, nurse or pharmacist if you’re worried, or if side effects are continuing.

Read more about common concerns about asthma medicines.

Do not shake your inhaler to see if it’s run out. The sound of the liquid inside is not always the medicine, it could be the propellant. If you think you need a new prescription, ask your GP, nurse or pharmacist as soon as possible. Dr Andy Whittamore, Asthma and Lung UK’s GP. 

Asthma symptoms can happen suddenly, so it’s important to always have a reliever inhaler that’s in date and has medicine in it.

To make life easier, set up a repeat prescription for your reliever inhaler. This means you can call your GP surgery or pharmacist to get a new reliever before yours runs out.

Some inhaler devices have a counter to show how many doses are left. When the numbers on the counter turn red, it’s time to contact your GP surgery or pharmacist for a new prescription.

If your inhaler does not have a dose counter, you can work out when your inhaler is likely to run out yourself by:

1. finding out how many puffs your inhaler has when it’s new. This should be printed on the box, or you can ask your pharmacist.
2. every time you use your reliever inhaler, write down how many puffs you’ve used.

If you cannot get a new prescription from the GP and you urgently need a replacement reliever inhaler, your pharmacist can help. They may be able to issue an emergency reliever.

Find out more about getting an emergency supply of medicines.

Check the expiry date if you haven’t used your reliever for a while

Even if you haven’t used all the medicine in your inhaler, you should replace your reliever inhaler with a new one if it has passed the expiry date. This is usually six months after opening it. An out-of-date reliever inhaler could be less effective.

You can find the expiry date on the bottom of the box, or on the side of the inhaler cannister.