Quick-Relief Medications
Patients with asthma are prescribed a quick-relief or "rescue" medication to stop asthma symptoms before they get worse. Short-acting inhaled beta-agonists are the most common quick-relief medicine. These medicines are called bronchodilators. Bronchodilators act quickly to relax the tightened muscles around your airways so that they can open up and allow more air to flow through.
Commonly used quick-relief treatments for asthma include albuterol, levalbuterol and pirbuterol. Ipratropium is another type of inhaled medicine that may be prescribed for some patients with asthma.
You should take your quick-relief medicine when you first begin to feel asthma symptoms, such as coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath. It's important that you carry your quick-relief inhaler with you at all times in case of an asthma attack.
Your provider may recommend that you take your quick-relief medicines at other times as well, for example, before you exercise or engage in other strenuous activities.