Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition with symptoms such as difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing and tightness in the chest. The American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunization (AAAAI) reports that asthma is a condition in which inflamed airways restrict the amount of air that can flow into and out of the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. Furthermore, smooth muscles that surround the airways constrict, which also restricts airflow. Drugs that either reduce inflammation or relax the muscles surrounding the airways are prescribed to treat symptoms of asthma.
Beta Agonists
The Mayo Clinic reports that beta agonists help to relieve asthma symptoms by relaxing the muscles surrounding the airways that constrict during an asthma attack. This medication is usually available in the form of an inhaler, which delivers the medication directly to the lungs. Because this type of medication opens the airways, it's called a bronchodilator. There are two types of beta agonists: short-acting and long-acting. Short-acting beta agonists cause relief of asthma symptoms shortly after administration of the medication, and thus are often called rescue inhalers. MedlinePlus describes how long-acting beta agonists are used to prevent asthma symptoms. They don't act as quickly (and thus are not rescue inhalers) but are useful in preventing asthma symptoms. An example of a short-acting beta agonist is Ventolin, and an example of a long-acting beta agonist is Serevent.
Inhaled Corticosteroids
MedlinePlus, an online medical encyclopedia, reports that inhaled corticosteroids are drugs that reduce lung inflammation and swelling, and thus are able to control asthma symptoms. Corticosteroids such as long-acting beta agonists do not relieve symptoms immediately but are effective in controlling asthma symptoms on a long-term basis. Flovent is an example of an inhaled corticosteroid.
Combination Medications
MedlinePlus also reports that combination drugs are quite commo. Combination medications combine two drugs used to treat asthma symptoms. The most common medication that is actually two drugs in one is Advair, which has an inhaled corticosteroid and an long-acting beta agonist.
Leukotriene Modifiers
Another common type of asthma medication is a leukotriene modifier. This type of medication reduces asthma-related symptoms by reducing inflammation, similar to corticosteroids. However, the Mayo Clinic explains how leukotriene modifiers target a different chemical pathway that causes inflammation in the body. Singulair is an example of a leukotriene modifier.
