Asthma affects more than 2.7 million Australians — sensitive airways that narrow, swell and produce extra mucus, making every breath harder work. There's no cure, but with the right treatment, an up-to-date Asthma Action Plan and regular GP reviews, most people live full, active lives with well-controlled asthma.
The catch? Asthma doesn't stick to business hours, and repeat inhaler scripts shouldn't mean sitting in a waiting room. Here's how an online doctor can help you manage asthma from home — and when you need urgent care instead.
Asthma flare-ups, script renewals or a review of your Asthma Action Plan? AHPRA-registered GPs online from $49.
Book an Online GP NowCommon Asthma Symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person and range from occasional mild wheeze to daily limitation. The classic four:
- Breathlessness — feeling short of breath during activity or at rest
- Chest tightness — a squeezing or band-like feeling across the chest
- Wheezing — a whistling sound, especially when breathing out
- Coughing — often worse at night or early morning
Well-controlled asthma means symptoms rarely wake you, you use your reliever puffer no more than a few times a week, and exercise doesn't regularly trigger symptoms. If any of those aren't true, your asthma is not well controlled — a GP review is overdue.
Fast-acting bronchodilators like salbutamol relax the airway muscles during flare-ups.
Daily inhaled corticosteroids reduce airway inflammation and prevent attacks.
A written plan with your GP covering daily meds and what to do when symptoms worsen.
At least yearly — or sooner if you're using your reliever more than usual.
Common Asthma Triggers
Knowing your triggers is half the battle. The most common in Australia:
- Pollen (grass pollen season triggers thunderstorm asthma in southeast Australia)
- Dust mites and pet dander
- Cold or changeable weather
- Exercise (especially in cold, dry air)
- Viral respiratory infections — colds and flu
- Smoke — cigarettes, bushfire smoke and wood heaters
- Certain medications (aspirin and NSAIDs in some people) and workplace chemicals
How an Online Doctor Can Help With Asthma
Telehealth is well suited to the routine side of asthma care — the ongoing management that keeps you out of trouble:
- Reviewing your control: how often you're using your reliever, night symptoms, exercise limitation
- Renewing inhaler prescriptions: preventer and reliever scripts via eScript, sent to your phone
- Updating your Asthma Action Plan: a written plan your whole family (and school or employer) can follow
- Checking inhaler technique: poor technique is one of the most common reasons asthma meds "don't work"
- Arranging lung function testing or allergy workup where needed
- Follow-up after an ED visit or flare-up: making sure the recovery plan is on track
For a deeper look at how scripts work online, see our guide to getting a prescription online in Australia.
Managing Asthma Online: 3 Steps
- Book a telehealth GP: Choose a time by phone or video with an AHPRA-registered doctor.
- Review your control: Discuss symptoms, triggers, technique and how often you've needed your reliever. Bring your current inhalers and Action Plan if you have one.
- Get your plan and scripts: Receive updated prescriptions as eScripts and a written Asthma Action Plan — with clear steps for worsening symptoms and when to seek urgent care.
Asthma First Aid: What to Do in a Flare-Up
Follow standard asthma first aid for a blue/grey reliever puffer: 4 puffs, 4 breaths per puff, wait 4 minutes, then repeat if needed. Sit upright and stay calm. If there's no improvement — or symptoms are severe from the start — call 000.
Telehealth is for non-urgent asthma care. Call 000 immediately if you or someone near you experiences:
- Severe difficulty breathing or speaking more than a few words at a time
- Blue lips or fingertips
- Reliever puffer not helping, or needed repeatedly within minutes
- Confusion, exhaustion or collapsing
- A child who is pale, floppy or struggling badly to breathe
Call 000 or go to your nearest emergency department immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Common questions about asthma treatment online.
Can an online doctor prescribe asthma inhalers?
Yes — where clinically appropriate. An AHPRA-registered GP can assess your asthma control via telehealth and issue prescriptions as eScripts, sent to your phone or email for any pharmacy. Preventer and reliever inhalers, and spacer prescriptions, can all be managed this way at review.
Can telehealth help during an asthma flare-up?
It depends on severity. Mild worsening that responds to your reliever and action plan can be followed up by telehealth. If you're severely short of breath, your reliever isn't working, or you have any emergency signs, don't book online — call 000.
What is an Asthma Action Plan?
A written, personalised plan created with your GP that covers your daily medications, how to recognise worsening symptoms, exactly what steps to take (including medication changes), and when to seek emergency help. Everyone with asthma should have one — ask your GP to update yours at each review.
How often should asthma be reviewed?
At least once a year — and more often if your symptoms aren't controlled, you've had a recent flare-up or ED visit, or you use your reliever puffer frequently. Reviews can be done conveniently by telehealth.
I ran out of my preventer — can I get a repeat online?
Usually yes. If you're an established patient with a known asthma history, a GP can assess you and issue a repeat script. Don't stop your preventer just because the script ran out — ongoing preventer use is what keeps flare-ups away. See our guide to filling an online script in Australia.
How much does an online asthma consultation cost?
GP consultations at NewTeleDoc Medical start from $49, with transparent pricing published upfront. Prescriptions are delivered as eScripts at no extra appointment cost.
Breathe Easier With an Online GP Review
AHPRA-registered GPs by phone or video — consults from $49, inhaler scripts via eScript.
Book Your Online GP Now