Albuterol, commonly used for rapid relief of asthma symptoms, belongs to a class of medications called beta-2 agonists. These drugs work by binding to proteins that normally respond to the hormone adrenaline. When the beta-2 agonists bind to the proteins, the muscles in the airways relax, helping ease the flow of air into the lungs. In addition to albuterol, there are a number of other medical options for treating asthma.
Other Short-Acting Beta-2 Agonists
Although albuterol is one of the most commonly prescribed short-acting beta-2 agonists, there are other chemically related medications. These drugs include levalbuterol, metaproterenol and pirbuterol, according to the Cleveland Clinic. These medications all work via the same mechanism as albuterol and can be used for short-term relief of asthma symptoms.
Ipratropium
Ipratropium is another medication that can be used to quickly relieve the symptoms of an asthma attack, MayoClinic.com explains. Ipratropium also works to quickly relax muscles in the airways, though it does so by a different mechanism than beta-2 agonists. Instead of mimicking the effects of adrenaline, ipratropium blocks chemicals which cause muscles in the airways to constrict. By blocking this signal, ipratropium is able to dilate the airways, making it easier for air to flow through the bronchioles.
Long-Acting Beta-2 Agonists
Long-acting beta-2 agonists work similarly to the short-acting class of medications, but they last for a longer period of time. These drugs, which include fromoterol and salmeterol, can be inhaled to make the airways relax and can help prevent asthma symptoms for up to 24 hours. These drugs take longer to have an effect, however, so they are not designed to be used during an acute asthma attack. With regular use, however, they can reduce the frequency with which a patient suffering from asthma has to use the short-term "relief" medications.
Inhaled Corticosteroids
Like long-acting beta-2 agonists, inhaled corticosteroids can be used to reduce the frequency and severity of asthma attacks if they are taken daily. These drugs, which include triamcinolone, beclomethasone, budesonide and fluticasone, prevent the airways from becoming inflamed, reports eMedTV. Because asthma attacks are triggered by an abnormally strong inflammatory response in the airways, regular use of inhaled corticosteroids can reduce how often a patient needs to use short-term beta-2 agonists, such as albuterol.
Leukotriene Modifiers
The inflammation which causes asthma is mediated, in part, by chemicals known as leukotrienes. Leukotriene modifiers are drugs which are taken orally and which disrupt this signaling process. Examples of leukotriene modifiers include montelukast, zileuton and zafirlukast. These medications must be taken daily to be effective.
