Asthma is a disease of the lungs. It involves inflammation, swelling of the airways and mucus accumulation in the airways. It results in constriction of the airways and the following symptoms: difficulty breathing, coughing, wheezing and chest tightness. Asthma is treated with different classes of medicines. It can be treated with long-term medications and quick-relief drugs. Long-term medicines are used to prevent asthma attacks while quick-relief asthma drugs are used to relieve an asthma attack.
Beta Agonists
Beta agonists are a class of medication used to treat airway constriction in asthma. There are two types of beta agonists: short-acting and long-acting beta agonists. Beta agonists are used to open up the airways. Short-acting beta agonists are quick relief asthma medicines used during asthma attacks. They act within minutes of administration and provide quick relief from symptoms of asthma. Their effects last for about 4 to 6 hours. Albuterol is a short-acting beta agonist often used to treat asthma.
Long-acting beta agonists are long term asthma medications. They are used to prevent asthma symptoms that occur at night and to control moderate to severe asthma. Their effects last for 12 hours and, unlike short-acting beta agonists, they are used on a regular schedule, not during asthma attacks. Examples of long-acting beta agonists are Serevent Diskus and Foradil Aerolizer.
Anticholinergics
Anticholinergic medications like Atrovent are quick-relief asthma drugs. According to the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, they inhibit acetylcholine--a chemical secreted in the body. Acetylcholine can result in an asthma attack because it can stimulate muscle contractions and increase secretions in the mouth and lungs.
Inhaled Corticosteroids
According to the Mayo Clinic, inhaled corticosteroids are the most effective long-term control medicine used to treat asthma. They inhibit movement of fluids into the airways and reduce inflammation in the airways which decreases airway constriction. Inhaled corticosteroids are taken to prevent asthma attacks from occurring. Examples of inhaled corticosteroids are Flovent, Pulmicort and Azmacort.
Leukotriene Modifiers
During an allergic response such as in asthma, leukotrienes are released. They cause inflammation, constriction and mucus production in the airways. This leads to asthma symptoms like coughing and shortness of breath. Leukotriene modifiers are asthma medicines that block the action or reduce the production of leukotrienes. Singulair and Accolate are examples of leukotriene modifiers. This class of medicines are used for long-term control of asthma.
Mast Cell Stabilizers
Mast cells release substances capable of causing inflammation and constriction of the airways in the presence of an allergen. "The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Guide to Asthma: How to Help Your Child Live a Healthier Life" by Sheila Buff and Martha M. Jablow suggests that mast cell stabilizers are long term asthma control medicines that work to prevent the action of mast cells. Cromolyn and Nedocromil are examples of asthma medications in this drug category.
References
- Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital: Treatment for Asthma
- "The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Guide to Asthma: How to Help Your Child Live a Healthier Life"; Julian Lewis Allen, Tyra Bryant-Stephens, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Sheila Buff, Martha M. Jablow; 2004
- Mayo Clinic: Asthma- Treatment and Drugs
- Mayo Clinic: Asthma medications: Know your options
