If you have been diagnosed with asthma by a pulmonary specialist, he or she may prescribe a medication to help control your asthma. Several different types of medicines are used in asthma treatment and come in many different forms. Based on your test results, your doctor will determine what is appropriate for you. Corticosteriods may be prescribed to reduce the inflammation that accompanies an asthma attack and the overreactive state of your airways. When used as an aerosol, side affects are minimal.
Bronchodilators are medicines to relax the muscles in the airway walls and help open the airways.
These medications may be taken orally as pills or liquid, or may be inhaled. Some are also given by injection to treat severe asthma attacks. Cromolyn, an inhaled medicine, is used to prevent asthma episodes by lessening the lungs' response to an asthma trigger, but is not useful in treating an attack once it has started. In addition, some allergy-prone asthmatics benefit from allergy shots. No matter which medication you use, it is important to take your medications as directed until your doctor advises otherwise.