A reliever is a drug that provides relief from asthma symptoms and is the most commonly used asthma medication. During an attack, the airways constrict, so short acting relievers are taken to relax the smooth muscle. Relievers do not reduce the underlying inflammation associated with asthma and therefore do not prevent asthma attacks. A good rule of thumb is to take a preventer medication if you are using your reliever more than 3 - 4 times a week.
Relievers come in many different brands.
These stimulate beta-receptors, relaxing smooth muscle and opening the bronchioles. Long-acting bronchodilators work by keeping the airways open for several hours. They are taken regularly whether asthma symptoms are present or not. This is extremely important, because some people have died taking long-acting relievers for symptomatic relief. These medications should only be reduced when short acting bronchodilators are not needed on a daily basis.