Steroids
Inhaled corticosteroids, or steroids for short, go directly into the lungs and help to decrease the inflammation of airways that makes
asthma attacks more likely. Because steroids do not work quickly, they should not be used for treating an
asthma attack. Rather, they are used on a daily basis to help prevent them. These medications can include:
Oral steroids, such as
prednisone (Deltasone
®) or methylprednisolone (Medrol
®), are also used to treat asthma. These medications are best used in a short-term fashion to control severe
asthma symptoms.
Combination Asthma Medications
A few medications combine a bronchodilator medication with an inhaled steroid. These medications include:
Miscellaneous Medications
A variety of miscellaneous medications are available for
asthma treatment. These medications include:
- Leukotriene modifiers, such as: