| Anticholinergics (inhaled) |
| | | Usually used in combination with a beta-adrenergic drug |
| Short-acting beta-adrenergic drugs (inhaled) |
| | | For immediate relief of acute attack Albuterol also available in oral preparation |
| Long-acting beta-adrenergic drugs (inhaled) |
| | | For ongoing treatment, not for acute relief Not recommended for use alone (without other asthma drugs) |
| Ultra–long-acting beta-adrenergic drugs (inhaled) |
| | | Not recommended for use alone (without other asthma drugs). Vilanterol available only in combination with fluticasone |
| Corticosteroids (inhaled) |
| | Fungal infection of the mouth (thrush) | Inhaled for prevention (long-term control) of asthma |
| Corticosteroids (oral or injection) |
| | Elevated blood sugar levels Skin thinning and easy bruising | Used for acute asthma attacks and for asthma that cannot be controlled with inhaled therapy |
| Immunomodulators (injection) |
| | Discomfort at the injection site Rarely, anaphylactic reactions | Used in people with severe asthma to decrease use of oral corticosteroids |
| Leukotriene modifiers (oral) |
| | Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis With zileuton, elevated liver enzymes | Used more for prevention (long-term control) than for treatment |
| Mast cell stabilizers (inhaled) |
| | | Useful for preventing attacks, often related to exercise, but not for treatment of an acute attack Nedocromil not available in the United States |
| |
| | Seizures (if the blood level is high) Serious heartbeat irregularities (if the blood level is high) | Can be used for prevention and treatment Taken by mouth but can be given intravenously in a hospital |
Drugs Commonly Used to Treat Asthma