Ep. 171: Rescue Inhaler Changes in the Newest Asthma Guidelines
Part of the series: Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Innovations Podcast
This podcast was made in partnership with Allergy & Asthma Network.
We thank AstraZeneca for sponsoring this episode. While they support the show, all opinions are our own, and sponsorship doesn’t influence our content or editorial decisions. Any mention of brands is for informational purposes and not an endorsement.
For decades, the rescue inhaler was simple: feel tight, take a puff, breathe easier. But the newest asthma guidelines have changed what's actually recommended inside that inhaler, shifting away from plain albuterol toward a combination inhaler that treats symptoms and inflammation at the same time.
In this episode, Kortney and Dr. Payel Gupta are joined by Dr. Bill McCann, allergist and CEO of Allergy Partners, to break down why this combo inhaler approach is now preferred, what it actually contains, and why auto-refilling your old rescue inhaler might be working against you.
What we cover in our episode about rescue inhalers
Understanding asthma: the boiling pot analogy. Dr. McCann explains asthma inflammation using a pot of water on the stove, and why a bronchodilator alone never turns down the heat.
Why a combo inhaler is now preferred. The newest guidelines recommend a single inhaler containing both a fast-acting bronchodilator and a low dose of anti-inflammatory steroid.
AIR and MART, explained simply. Two ways doctors are using this combo inhaler: either as-needed only, or as a daily plus as-needed routine.
The myth of "mild" asthma. Why intermittent or infrequent symptoms don't mean you're free from risk.
The auto-refill trap. Why an automatic pharmacy refill on your old rescue inhaler can quietly hide worsening asthma control from your doctor.
About our guest
Dr. William A. McCann is a board-certified allergist and immunologist, also board-certified in pediatrics, based in Asheville, North Carolina, where he has practiced with Allergy Partners for more than 20 years. He serves as CEO for Allergy Partners, a national allergy-specific group with offices in 20 states, where he works to improve systems of care across the organization. Dr. McCann treats both adult and pediatric patients, with a particular focus on asthma, eczema, and chronic sinusitis.
More resources about air quality and asthma
GINA 2026 Strategy Report (official source)
Listen to the BATURA Trial
Allergy & Asthma Network: Asthma Action Plan
A Comprehensive Guide for Asthma Treatments & Medication
More asthma episodes
Timestamps
Our episode about preparing for asthma rescue inhaler use
