Also called rescue medications, you use quick-relief medications as needed for rapid, short-term relief of symptoms during an asthma attack, or before exercise, if recommended by a physician. Only use these medications as often as your doctor tells you to. If you need to use these medications too often, you probably need to adjust your long-term control medication. Keep a record of how many puffs you use each day. Types of quick-relief medications include:
- Short-acting beta-2 agonists, such as albuterol. These medications, called bronchodilators, may be administered via inhalation, pill form, liquid or injection methods. They act to ease breathing by temporarily relaxing the smooth muscle in the airways which contain many B2-receptors. They act within minutes, and effects last four to six hours. These are the first line of treatment for miled to moderate acute asthma. COmmonly used is a salbutamol-based B2-agonist, administrated by inhalation and known as "ventolin" **when beta-2 agonists are required on a regular basis i.e. more than once a day, then regular administration of an inhaled steroid may be included in the treatment plan**
- Ipratropium (Atrovent). Your doctor might prescribe this inhaled anticholinergic for the immediate relief of your symptoms. Like other bronchodilators, ipratropium relaxes the airways, making it easier to breathe. Ipratropium is mostly used for emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
- Oral and intravenous corticosteroids to treat acute asthma attacks or very severe asthma. Examples include prednisone and methylprednisolone. These medications relieve airway inflammation. They may cause serious side effects when used long term, so they're only used to treat severe asthma symptoms.
- Also, incases of acute severe asthma, oxygen may be administered with the nebulized or intravenous B2-agonists.
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