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Conditions
Asthma
A chronic lung condition causing airway inflammation, wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing. Affects 1 in 9 Australians.
Get assessed
From $24.95 · No appointment needed
6 min
avg cert turnaround
13 min
avg doctor review
2
days a week
30%
refund if declined
Symptoms
CommonsymptomsofAsthma
An AHPRA-registered doctor assesses these symptoms online - no in-person visit required.
Wheezing
Shortness of breath
Chest tightness
Persistent cough (especially at night)
Difficulty exercising
Symptoms triggered by cold air, allergens, or exercise
Our Scope
Howwecanhelp
InstantMed handles many common conditions entirely online. Here's what fits our service.
What we can help with
- Repeat prescriptions for preventer and reliever inhalers
- Asthma management reviews
- Medical certificates during flares
- Asthma action plan discussion
What needs in-person care
- Emergency asthma attacks (call 000)
- Lung function testing (spirometry)
- Severe or brittle asthma management
Depending on your situation, an AHPRA-registered doctor may be able to issue a medical certificate or arrange a repeat prescription after reviewing your request online.
Clinical Guidance
Whentoseeadoctor
These indicators suggest you should seek professional medical advice promptly.
Signs you need a doctor
- 1Needing reliever inhaler more than 2 days per week
- 2Waking at night with symptoms
- 3Asthma affecting exercise or daily activities
- 4Running low on preventer medication
- 5You need a medical certificate during a flare
Seek emergency care if
- Severe difficulty breathing at rest
- Unable to speak in full sentences
- Reliever inhaler not helping
- Blue lips or fingertips
- Drowsy or confused
Call 000 or go to your nearest emergency department
Clinical Insight
Adoctor'sperspectiveonAsthma
InstantMed Clinical Team
AHPRA-registered medical team · Reviewed 2026-03
Asthma is one of the most common chronic conditions in Australia, and it is both undertreated and over-relied upon with reliever inhalers. The critical insight most patients miss is that reliever inhalers (Ventolin/salbutamol) treat symptoms but do nothing to address the underlying airway inflammation. If you are using your reliever more than twice a week, you need a preventer. Many Australians carry a blue inhaler and nothing else - this is suboptimal management. For stable, well-characterised asthma, telehealth is well-suited for prescription renewals and management reviews because the assessment is largely history-based: how often do you use your reliever? Do you wake at night? Can you exercise? These questions tell me whether your current treatment is adequate. What telehealth cannot replace is an in-person assessment during an acute exacerbation - if you are struggling to breathe, speak in full sentences, or your reliever is not providing relief, that is a 000 situation or an emergency department, not a telehealth form.
Treatment
TreatingAsthma
Asthma treatment follows a stepwise approach based on symptom frequency and severity. The two main categories are preventer inhalers - inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) taken daily to reduce airway inflammation - and reliever inhalers - short-acting beta-2 agonists (SABA) used as needed for acute symptoms. For moderate-to-severe asthma, long-acting beta-2 agonist (LABA) combination inhalers are added to preventer therapy. Montelukast (a leukotriene receptor antagonist) can be added for allergic asthma or exercise-induced symptoms. For severe, difficult-to-control asthma, biologic therapies targeting specific inflammatory pathways are available through specialist referral. Most Australians with asthma over-rely on reliever inhalers and under-use preventers - if you need your reliever more than twice per week, your asthma is not well controlled.
Salbutamol
Ventolin, Asmol
Class:Short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) - reliever
Typical dose:2 puffs as needed for symptoms (max 8 puffs in 4 hours)
PBS:PBS listed for reversible airway obstruction
- Reliever inhaler - use for acute wheeze, cough, or breathlessness
- Works within minutes, lasts 4-6 hours
- If needing more than twice per week, your asthma needs a preventer
- Always use with a spacer for best medication delivery
Fluticasone propionate
Flixotide
Class:Inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) - preventer
Typical dose:125-250mcg twice daily (medium dose)
PBS:PBS listed for asthma prevention
- Preventer inhaler - reduces airway inflammation over time
- Must be used daily even when feeling well
- Takes 2-4 weeks to reach full effectiveness
- Rinse mouth after each use to prevent oral thrush
Budesonide + formoterol
Symbicort
Class:Inhaled corticosteroid + long-acting beta-agonist (ICS/LABA)
Typical dose:200/6mcg, 1-2 puffs twice daily (can also be used as reliever in SMART regimen)
PBS:PBS listed for moderate-severe asthma
- Combination preventer + long-acting reliever in one inhaler
- Can be used as both maintenance and reliever (SMART approach)
- Recommended when low-dose ICS alone is insufficient
- Reduces risk of severe exacerbations compared to SABA-only relief
Montelukast
Singulair
Class:Leukotriene receptor antagonist
Typical dose:10mg once daily (adults)
PBS:PBS listed as add-on therapy for asthma not controlled by ICS alone
- Add-on therapy for allergic asthma or exercise-induced bronchospasm
- Particularly useful when hay fever and asthma coexist
- Taken as a tablet once daily - does not require an inhaler technique
- May cause mood changes in some patients - discuss with your doctor if you notice any psychological effects
Source: Therapeutic Guidelines - Respiratory, 2024; National Asthma Council Australia Guidelines. This information is educational only and does not replace clinical assessment.
Specialist referral: Referral to a respiratory physician is recommended if asthma is not controlled despite combination ICS/LABA preventer therapy, if you have had a life-threatening asthma attack, if the diagnosis is uncertain, or for consideration of biologic therapies (mepolizumab, dupilumab) for severe eosinophilic or allergic asthma.
Asthma in Australia
Approximately 2.8 million Australians have asthma - about 1 in 9 people (AIHW)
Asthma causes around 400 deaths per year in Australia, most of which are preventable (AIHW)
Australia has one of the highest asthma prevalence rates in the world (Asthma Australia)
Recovery
Whattoexpect
Typical recovery timeline and return-to-work guidance for most patients.
Typical recovery
Asthma is a chronic condition managed rather than cured. During a flare, most people stabilise within 3-7 days with appropriate treatment. Viral-triggered exacerbations may take 2-3 weeks for full recovery.
Return to work
Mild flares: most people can continue working with increased reliever use and avoiding triggers. Moderate-severe flares: 2-5 days off may be needed, particularly if oral corticosteroids are required. Avoid cold air and exercise triggers during recovery.
When to reassess
Seek emergency care immediately if your reliever is not providing relief, you cannot speak in full sentences, or your lips or fingers appear blue. See a doctor if you are using your reliever daily, waking at night with symptoms, or have had more than 2 exacerbations in the past 12 months.
Self-Care
ManagingAsthmaathome
Evidence-based tips to support your recovery alongside medical treatment.
Develop a written asthma action plan with your doctor - it tells you what to do when symptoms worsen and reduces hospitalisation risk
Use your preventer inhaler every day, even when you feel well - it takes 2-4 weeks to reach full effectiveness
Always carry your reliever inhaler, but if you need it more than twice a week, your asthma needs a review
Use a spacer device with your metered-dose inhaler - it significantly increases the amount of medication reaching your lungs
Get your annual flu vaccine - respiratory infections are the most common trigger for asthma exacerbations
Identify and avoid your personal triggers: pollen, dust mites, cold air, exercise, cigarette smoke, and certain medications
Have spirometry (lung function testing) done at least once to confirm your diagnosis and track your baseline
Avoid smoke exposure entirely - both active and passive smoking worsens airway inflammation and reduces the effectiveness of preventer inhalers
FAQ
CommonquestionsaboutAsthma
Answers to the most common questions from patients.
Yes. If you have an established asthma diagnosis and know which inhalers you use, our doctors can renew your prescription via eScript.
Yes. Asthma exacerbations can be debilitating and are a legitimate reason for time off work. Our doctors can provide a certificate.
Preventer inhalers work best when used consistently every day, even when you feel well. They reduce inflammation over time. Your reliever is for acute symptoms only.
If you're using your reliever more than twice a week, waking at night with symptoms, or avoiding exercise due to asthma - your asthma is not well controlled and needs review.
Yes. For patients with an established asthma diagnosis, telehealth is well-suited for renewing preventer inhaler prescriptions. Our AHPRA-registered doctors assess your current symptom control, confirm your diagnosis is stable, and issue an eScript for your preventer. If your symptoms suggest your asthma is not well controlled, we may recommend a step-up in treatment or refer you for spirometry.
A preventer inhaler (usually brown, purple, or red) contains an inhaled corticosteroid that reduces airway inflammation over time. It is taken every day, even when you feel well, and takes 2-4 weeks to reach full effect. A reliever inhaler (usually blue) contains a short-acting bronchodilator that opens the airways within minutes during an acute episode. Reliever inhalers treat symptoms; preventer inhalers address the underlying inflammation. If you only carry a reliever, you are treating the symptoms but not the disease.
Ready to get help with Asthma?
Australian-registered doctors review your request when available.
Full refund if the doctor declines.