There are two main types of asthma medications: 1) Controller medications to reduce attacks. 2) Quick-relief medications for use during an asthma attack.
Controller Medications for Asthma
Controller medications work to control your asthma symptoms if you do not have a mild form of asthma. You must take them daily to get their effect. You should take them even when you feel fine. The most common controller medications include:
Inhaled corticosteroids reduce asthma symptoms by helping to keep the airways from becoming swollen and inflamed.
Long-Acting Beta Agonists (LABAs) help reduce asthma symptoms. These inhaled medications include Salmeterol and Formoterol. They open the airways and reduce inflammation, and have been prescribed for severe asthma cases. These compounds should only be given together with an inhaled corticosteroid.
Leukotriene modifiers (Singulair).
Omalizumab – brand name XOLAIR – which works by blocking the pathway the immune system uses to trigger asthma symptoms.
Cromolyn Sodium (Intal) or Nedocromil Sodium (Tilade).
Aminophylline or Ophylline.
Quick-Relief Medications
Quick-relief medications work to rapidly reduce and control the following asthma symptoms:
They are taken when you have coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, or an asthma attack.
They can also be used just before starting exercise or physical training to help prevent asthma symptoms resulting from such activities. The most common quick-relief medications for asthma include:
Short-acting bronchodilators, for example, Ventolin. If you need these medications regularly more than twice a week, then your asthma control is not being done properly, or something else is happening that is causing airway obstruction.
