Quick-relief medications

These asthma medications — sometimes called short-acting beta agonists (SABA) — open the lungs by relaxing airway muscles. Often called rescue medications, they can ease worsening symptoms or stop an asthma attack in progress. They begin working within minutes and are effective for 4 to 6 hours. They're not for daily use.

Some people use a quick-relief inhaler before exercise to help prevent shortness of breath and other asthma symptoms. Possible side effects include jitteriness and a rapid heartbeat (palpitations).

Quick-relief medications include:

If your symptoms are minor and infrequent or if you have exercise-induced asthma, you might manage your symptoms with one of these medications alone. However, most people with persistent asthma also need an inhaled corticosteroid or other long-term control medication.

If you need to use your inhaler more often than your health care provider recommends, your asthma is not under control — and you may be increasing your risk of a serious asthma attack. Talk with your provider about adjusting your therapy.

Ipratropium

Ipratropium (Atrovent HFA) is a short-acting bronchodilator that's usually prescribed for emphysema or chronic bronchitis but is sometimes used to treat asthma attacks. It may be used either with or instead of a SABA.

A combination of ipratropium and albuterol (Combivent) may sometimes be used to treat asthma.

Theophylline

You take this bronchodilator daily in pill form to treat mild asthma. Theophylline (Theo-24) relaxes the airways and decreases the lungs' response to irritants. Although theophylline isn't used much anymore, it can be helpful for nighttime asthma symptoms. You might need regular blood tests to make sure you're getting the correct dose.

Oral corticosteroids for serious asthma attacks

These medications may be taken — usually for a limited time — to treat severe asthma attacks. Examples include:

Oral corticosteroids can cause bothersome short-term side effects and more-serious side effects if they're taken for a long period. Long-term side effects can include cataracts, thinning bones (osteoporosis), muscle weakness, decreased resistance to infection, high blood pressure and reduced growth in children.