Asthma is a chronic lung disease that is characterized by symptoms of wheezing, coughing, a tight feeling in the chest and difficulty breathing. According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 16.4 million adults and 7 million children in the United States suffered from asthma in 2008. Although there is no cure for asthma, multiple medications are widely available for the treatment and/or prevention of asthma symptoms.
Albuterol Sulfate
Inhalers that cause relief of asthma symptoms within a few minutes are often called "rescue" inhalers. They contain the drug albuterol sulfate, a short-acting beta-adrenergic agonist. Ventolin is one such albuterol inhaler, made by the pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). GSK reports that albuterol is a bronchodilator, which means that it causes the airway to open.
Corticosteroids
The most common drugs used for the prevention of inflammation, which is a primary cause of asthma symptoms, are called corticosteroids. GSK also makes an inhaled corticosteroid by the name of Flovent, which contains the drug fluticasone propionate. According to GSK, Flovent is a corticosteroid receptor agonist, which serves to inhibit multiple cell types that cause the lung inflammation in asthma. However, corticosteroids do not relieve lung inflammation within a few minutes and thus cannot be used as rescue inhalers. GSK notes that inhaled corticosteroids reduce asthma symptoms over a long-term basis.
Salmeterol Xinafoate
Also available from GSK is a third drug called salmeterol xinafoate, which, like albuterol sulfate, is a beta-adrenergic bronchodilator. According to GSK, salmeterol xinafoate is a long-acting beta-adrenergic agonist, unlike the short-acting albuterol sulfate. Advair from GSK combines salmeterol xinafoate and fluticasone propionate in one medication. It is important to note that neither Advair, nor its individual ingredients, are rescue medications.
