BETA-AGONISTS AND CORTICOSTERIODS FOR ASTHMA

Beta2-agonists are a group of inhaled bronchodilators (airway opening) drugs used to treat asthma. Short-acting beta-agonists (SABA) are used for quick relief or to prevent exercise-induced asthma. SABAs are meant to be taken as needed but should not be used more than a few times a week. Long-acting beta-agonists (LABA) are intended for daily use to relax the muscles in the airways and make breathing easier. To treat asthma, LABAs must be taken in combination with a corticosteroid (anti-inflammatory drug). But inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) may be able to treat asthma symptoms alone, without the addition of a LABA. If asthma can’t be controlled with an ICS, the next step is taking a combination of LABA and ICS.

P.S. Beta2-agonists are powerful anti-inflammatories that address asthma symptoms, but they do not address the inflammation at the root of asthma attacks.

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