Rescue/reliever medications are fast-acting medications used to relieve asthma symptoms when they occur. These types of medicines are often inhaled directly into the lungs, where they open up the airways and relieve symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. But as effective as they are, rescue medications don't have a long-term effect.

What are Rescue/Reliever Medications?

Albuterol is the most commonly prescribed rescue/reliever drug for asthma patients, although there are several others (see below). Rescue/reliever medications provide the following:

• Relieve asthma symptoms once they have started
  
• Are short-acting
  
• Do not control or prevent inflammation in the airways
  
• Relax the tightened muscle bands around the airways (bronchospasm)
  
• Work immediately
  
• Should be needed occasionally (no more than twice a week)

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