TYPES OF ASTHMA MEDICATIONS

Types of asthma medications

Category	Purpose	Medication types
Long-term asthma control medications	Taken regularly to control chronic symptoms and prevent asthma attacks — the most important type of treatment for most people with asthma	Inhaled corticosteroids Leukotriene modifiers Long-acting beta agonists (LABAs) Theophylline Combination inhalers that contain both a corticosteroid and a LABA
Quick-relief medications (rescue medications)	Taken as needed for rapid, short-term relief of symptoms — used to prevent or treat an asthma attack	Short-acting beta agonists such as albuterol Ipratropium (Atrovent) Oral and intravenous corticosteroids (for serious asthma attacks)
Medications for allergy-induced asthma	Taken regularly or as needed to reduce your body's sensitivity to a particular allergy-causing substance (allergen)	Allergy shots (immunotherapy) Omalizumab (Xolair)

Long-term control medications

Many people with asthma need to take long-term control medications on a daily basis. You take these medications even when you don't have symptoms. There are several types of long-term control medications. They include the following types.

Inhaled corticosteroids
These anti-inflammatory drugs are the most effective and commonly used long-term control medications for asthma. They reduce swelling and tightening in your airways. You may need to use these medications for several days to weeks before they reach their maximum benefit.

ASTHMA Medications

Asthma Medications

Asthma medication plays a key role in gaining good control of your condition. Asthma is a chronic (lifelong) disease that involves inflammation of the airways superimposed with recurrent episodes of decreased airflow, mucus production, and cough. Choosing the proper asthma drug is crucial in avoiding asthma attacks and living an active life.

Treatment with asthma medication focuses on:

• Controlling inflammation and preventing chronic symptoms such as coughing or breathlessness at night, in the early morning, or after exertion (long-term control medications)
• Easing asthma attacks when they occur (quick-relief asthma medication)

There are two general types of asthma medication which can give you long-term control or quick relief of symptoms.

• Anti-inflammatory drugs. This is the most important type of therapy for most people with asthma because these asthma medications prevent asthma attacks on an ongoing basis. Steroids, also called "corticosteroids," are an important type of anti-inflammatory medication for people suffering from asthma. These asthma drugs reduce swelling and mucus production in the airways. As a result, airways are less sensitive and less likely to react to triggers.
• Bronchodilators. These asthma medications relieve the symptoms of asthma by relaxing the muscle bands that tighten around the airways. This action rapidly opens the airways, letting more air come in and out of the lungs. As a result, breathing improves. Bronchodilators also help clear mucus from the lungs. As the airways open, the mucus moves more freely and can be coughed out more easily.

These asthma drugs can be administered in different ways. Successful treatment should allow you to live an active and normal life. If your asthma symptoms are not controlled, you should contact your doctor for advice and look at a different asthma medication that may work better for you