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Breathing Easy with Asthma Medications

They work immediately and should be taken when symptoms like chest tightness, difficulty breathing or wheezing occur. Some doctors will prescribe these medicines to be taken before exercise. The more asthma is controlled, the less "rescue" meds will be needed. If you need rescue meds more than twice a week, talk to your doctor about getting on a controller

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 Quick-Relief Medications Used to Treat Asthma

Quick-relief medications give fast relief for tight, narrowed airways and the symptoms of coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness that happen with asthma.

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Asthma - quick-relief drugs

These medicines are called "bronchodilators" because they open (dilate) and help relax the muscles of your airways (bronchi).

Drug Combination Reduces the Risk of Asthma Attacks

Results from the clinical trial called MANDALA, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, show that a combination of albuterol, which provides relief from an asthma attack by relaxing the smooth muscles and is used for immediate asthma relief, and the corticosteroid budesonide, taken via an inhaler, lower the number of sudden episodes of shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing in patients.

Frequent use of quick-relief medication among persons with active asthma

Using inhaled short-acting beta2-agonist medications provides quick relief for asthma attacks. Using quick-relief medications (QRMs)† more than 2 days per week is considered frequent use and may indicate inadequate asthma control and the need to initiate or intensify anti-inflammatory medications.

To the Rescue: Fast-Acting Medications for Asthma Attacks

Despite an array of treatment options, inadequate medical treatment and undermedication often lead to emergent situations and may even be responsible for the increasing trend in asthma mortality. Whereas maintenance medications such as long-acting beta2 agonists, leukotriene receptor antagonists, and inhaled steroidsprevent asthma attacks, fast-acting or "rescue"medications are designed to stop the attack immediately. Rescue medications vary by setting and patient needs and include inhaled or intravenous (IV) beta2-agonist therapy, aminophylline, and magnesium.

Treating an Asthma Attack - Rescue Medications

When asthma attacks happen, your doctor may tell you to use a rescue medication to relieve your symptoms. This is different from your daily controller medicines, which you need to take every day.

Treating Asthma Symptoms with Quick Relief Bronchodilators: Prescription or Over-The-Counter Inhalers

The most commonly used bronchodilators are betaagonist medicines and include albuterol (inhaler brand names include ProAir® HFA, ProAir Respiclick®, Proventil® HFA, Ventolin® HFA) and levalbuterol (inhaler brand name Xopenex HFA®). These are available only by prescription.

What to Do for an Asthma Attack Without an Inhaler?

Here are some home remedies to manage an asthma attack without an inhaler.