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There are two main types of medicines for asthma:
1. Quick Relief medicines give rapid, short-term treatment and are taken when you have worsening asthma symptoms that can lead to asthma episodes or attacks.
2. Long-term Control medicines are taken every day.
Quick relief medicines are used only when needed. A type of quick relief medicine is a short-acting inhaled bronchodilator. Bronchodilators work by relaxing tightened muscles around the airways. They help open up airways quickly and ease breathing. They are sometimes called "rescue" or "relief" medicines because they can stop an asthma attack. These medicines act quickly but their effects only last for a short period of time.
Long-term control medicines. The most effective, long-term control medication for asthma is an inhaled corticosteroid (kor-ti-ko-STE-roid) because this medicine reduces the swelling of airways that makes asthma attacks more likely.
- Inhaled corticosteroids (or steroids for short) are the preferred treatment for controlling mild, moderate, and severe persistent asthma. They are safe when taken as directed by your doctor. Inhaled medicines go directly into your lungs where they are needed.
- Long-acting beta-agonists are another kind of long-term control medication. They are bronchodilators, not anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Leukotriene modifiers are long-term control medicines used either alone to treat mild persistent asthma or together with inhaled corticosteroids to treat moderate persistent asthma or severe persistent asthma.
- Cromolyn and nedocromil are also long-term control medicines used to treat mild persistent asthma.
- Theophylline is a long-term control medication used either alone to treat mild persistent asthma or together with inhaled corticosteroids to treat moderate persistent asthma. People who take theophylline should have their blood levels checked to be sure the dose is appropriate.
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