The body processes leukotrienes, chemicals that cause inflammation, as part of the reaction to an allergen. They may be useful as a primary treatment to control mild persistent asthma, or as add-on therapy with moderate or severe persistent asthma. All three drugs block the recognition of allergens, thereby avoiding the usual cascade of symptoms. Side effects include headache and nausea, and the medications may interact negatively with other drugs, such as blood thinners. Most of this type of medicine comes in a canister and is inhaled.
Relievers work by opening airways and increasing airflow.
They will stop the coughing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and wheezing associated with an asthma attack within 30 minutes. Quick-relief medication is not meant to be used daily. Relievers are used at the moment you are having a flare-up of symptoms. No matter how light or severe your asthma is, your doctor will make sure that you have a reliever medication available. If you are using more than one canister of this medicine each month for relief, it may indicate that your long-term control medication needs to be adjusted.