The 2 main types of asthma medicine are quick-relief or rescue medicines, to relieve symptoms after they begin, and controller medications, to prevent asthma symptoms from arising in the first place. But each of those categories contains several additional sub-types.
In addition, asthma medications could be separated by mode of administration. While most asthma medicines are given via inhaler, some are swallowed in pill or syrup format, and one is injected.
NOTE: If you don't see your medicine listed here, feel free to explore our medication encyclopedia.
Short-Acting Beta Agonists
A.D.A.M.
Here are some examples of quick-relief medicines:
Inhaled Corticosteroids
This is the most effective, long-term control medicine for asthma because it controls inflammation and reduces the airway swelling that makes asthma attacks more likely.Although these medicines are steroids, the risk from taking them is very low and the benefits definitely outweigh the risks in most all cases. Also, inhaled steroids are completely different from anabolic steroids, which are the often harmful type of medicines sometimes used by athletes.
Common inhaled steroids include:
Inhaled Long-Acting Beta Agonists
This type of asthma medicines are bronchodilators, or muscle relaxers. They do not treat the inflammation that causes asthma symptoms. They do help control moderate and severe asthma and prevent nighttime symptoms.This kind of asthma drug is similar in action to the short-acting beta agonists used as quick-relief medicines. However, long-acting types are better for prevention because they take longer to take effect. Long-acting beta-agonists are usually used in combination with inhaled corticosteroids. They are usually taken via a metered dose inhaler (MDI). Examples of this type of medicine are:
Leukotriene Modifiers
Leukotriene modifiers are one of the newer preventive, or control, medicines. They can be used alone or in combination with inhaled steroids. Leukotrienes are a type of chemical in the body that contribute to the airway inflammation of asthma. This type of medicine interferes with the leukotrienes in your body, either by stopping leukotrienes from being made in your body or by blocking their action. That helps to reduce and prevent swelling inside your airways. It also stops mucus from forming and lessens muscle tightening around the airways. Examples of leukotriene modifiers are:Long-acting Bronchodilators
Long-acting bronchodilators are drugs that cause the airways to relax and widen. They were among the first asthma medicines and can be quite effective. Unfortunately, they can also cause side effects, especially if they build up in the blood to toxic levels. So, today, doctors tend to prefer the safer, newer asthma medicines. Theophylline is probably the most well-known of this type of asthma medicine.Combination Medicines
Combination medicines are made from 2 different types of asthma medicines that work together for greater effect. Inhaled corticosteroids are often paired with long-acting beta agonists. Together they work to both open the airways and reduce the inflammation of asthma. Examples include:Oral Systemic Corticosteroids
This is a medical term for quick-relief medicines that are taken by mouth. They are usually used in an emergency situation to get fast control over asthma symptoms. They also prevent relapses after acute attacks. Occasionally, systemic corticosteroids may be given by injection.Cortisone is an example of a systemic corticosteroid.
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
This type of asthma medicine blocks the action of mast cells in the body that release certain chemicals that induce inflammation in your airways. Thus, they block the airway swelling and tightening and extra mucus production that come with inflammation. Examples include:Immunomodulators
Immunomodulators are asthma medicines that change how the immune system reacts to asthma triggers. They block the action of Immunoglobulin E, also known as IgE. IgE is one of the major factors in allergic asthma. Your body normally produces small amounts of IgE, but in allergic people, IgE is produced in large amounts that cause asthma symptoms when you come into contact with your asthma triggers.An example of an immunomodulator is Xolair.
