Asthma Medications

There are four major classes of drugs used in the treatment of asthma. The first class is the bronchodilators, or rescue medications, for treatment of acute attacks. Others include corticosteroids and antimediators, both anti-inflammatory medications, which are used to prevent an attack. The fourth is a new asthma treatment called leukotriene inhibitors which work to block the substances (leukotrienes) which provoke inflammation.

Asthma Medications	How it works	How it is administered
Bronchodilators Sympathomimetics Albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin) Salmeterol (Serevent) Metaproterenol (Alupent, Metaprel) Bitolerol (Tornalate) Pirbuterol (Maxair) Terbutaline (Brethaire) Isoetharine (Bronkometer, Bronkosol) Isoproterenol (Isuprel) Epinephrine Anticholinergics Ipratropium bromide (Atrovent) Theophylline, oral Amniophylline	Relaxes the muscles around the airways without correcting the underlying inflammation	Metered-dose inhaler Nebulizer Liquid or tablet Injected

Corticosteroids Beclomethasone dipropionate (Beclovent) Triamcinolone acetonide Flunisolide (AeroBid) Prednisone Methylprednisone sodium succinate Hydrocortisone sodium succinate	Prevents and reduces swelling inside the airways. Decreases the mucus in the lungs	Metered-dose inhaler Nebulizer Liquid or tablet Injected

Antimediators Cromolyn sodium (Intal) Nedocromil sodium (Tilade)	Prevents and reduces swelling inside the airways Decreases the mucus in the lungs Stops the effects of environmental irritants or allergens (including after exercise and after exposure to cold air and sulfur dioxide)	Metered-dose inhaler Dry powder inhaler Nebulizer
Leukotriene Inhibitors (Singulair)	Blocks the substances (leukotrienes) involved in inflammation	Tablet

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