Inhaled steroids, however, have far fewer side effects, are very effective in reducing symptoms and airway reactivity, and seem to be safe for most patients. Anti-allergy drugs are used to prevent episodes, but do not work after an episode starts. These drugs are best used daily as apreventive measure, but do not work for everyone. They are most effective in people with mild or moderate asthma. These are medicines that relax the muscles of the airways and open them up.
Theophylline is another type of bronchodilator.
It comes in liquid, capsule, or tablet form. Side affects are more common than with other bronchodilators, and may include nausea, vomiting, and heart rhythm abnormalities. Anti-cholinergic agents, such as atropine, are the oldest forms of bronchodilator therapy for asthma. However, other medications are now preferred because they have fewer side effects and act more quickly to relieve asthma symptoms than anti-cholinergics. Many people with asthma mistakenly try to treat themselves with these medicines, only to find that when they really need help, these medicines are not enough.