Medications for asthma?

Question

What are the medications that are available for treating asthma? Do they have any side effects or long term effects on the patient's body?

Answer 1

You have rescue inhalers (beta-2 agonist such as albuterol) to treat symptoms and symptom controller inhalers that help prevent episodes (inhaled steroids such as budesonide). Inhaled steroids can be in form of inhaler or nebulizer. Severe cases may require longer-acting inhalers that keep the airways open (formoterol, salmeterol, tiotropium), as well as oral steroids. Treatment modality can be combined. Long term use of steroids can lead to adverse metabolic side effects.