These are fast-acting inhaled medications that relieve asthma symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath in minutes by opening up the airways.
Quick relief rescue medications are primarily inhaled bronchodilators that relax bronchial smooth muscle. Inhaled rescue medication works faster and may have fewer side effects than oral medications.
The most common quick relief inhaled medications are known as short-acting beta2-agonists (SABAs) and some common ones are albuterol, levalbuterol, and pirbuterol. When flare-ups are more severe, your allergist may prescribe an oral systemic corticosteroid which although not fast-acting, can help relieve symptoms as an adjunct to SABAs to speed up your recovery and prevent a recurrence.
