Drugs for Asthma

Acebrophylline is prescribed to reduce the irritation, swelling, and narrowing of the bronchial tubes in patients with asthma, severe or chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)and tightness of the chest. It helps in reducing the viscosity of the mucus in the airway and facilitates breathing.

Acetylcysteine reduces the mucus plugging by breaking down the thick mucus in the airways and facilitates breathing in conditions like chronic bronchopulmonary disease and cystic fibrosis, a disorder that affects lungs. It is also used to treat paracetamol overdose.

Albuterol or salbutamol is a short-acting β2-adrenergic receptor agonist, used to prevent and treat wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, and chest tightness caused by lung diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); a group of diseases that affect the lungs and airways. It relaxes the smooth muscles in the airway, which allows air to flow in and out of the lungs more easily.

Amoxicillin and Bromhexine contains penicillin antibiotic and mucolytic agent. It is prescribed for upper and lower respiratory tract infections such as bacterial pneumonia, lung abscess, acute and chronic bronchitis, sinusitis, lung abscess, bronchiectasis and diseases like bronchial asthma and obstructive airway disease whose course is complicated by infections.

Bambuterol is a prodrug of terbutaline, prescribed for chronic bronchial asthma.

Beclomethasone is a synthetic steroid, prescribed for asthma attacks. Beclomethasone prevents the release of substances that causes inflammation.

Beclomethasone is a corticosteroid and an anti-inflammatory drug. It is used for the treatment of several inflammatory conditions. It is used as inhalation for the prevention of bronchial asthma, nasal spray for rhinitis and prevention of recurrence of nasal polyps after surgical removal, orally for mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis, and on the skin for inflammatory skin conditions. The inhalational form is not useful in patients with an acute attack of asthma. Beclomethasone Dipropionate is prescribed for seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis in adults and adolescents 12 years of age and older.

Benralizumab is a type of monoclonal antibody which is prescribed as an add-on maintenance treatment for treating severe eosinophilic asthma in patients 12 years of age and older.

Bitolterol is a bronchodilator, prescribed for the relief of bronchospasm due to asthma and other respiratory diseases.

Bromhexine is prescribed to loosen or thin down the mucus secretions that can plug the airways. The medication promotes the expulsion of the bronchial secretions by making it easier to clear the phlegm from the respiratory tract. It is recommended only for patients with a productive cough. Bromhexine is generally used in conjunction with the antibiotic therapy for treating cough associated with bronchitis, COPD or cystic fibrosis.

Budesonide is a corticosteroid, prescribed for inflammatory bowel disease, asthma, and also for breathing trouble.

Budesonide and Formoterol contains steroid and bronchodilator, prescribed for asthma in patients 12 years of age and older.

Cephaloridine, administered parenterally was used for bacterial infections, like lower respiratory tract, skin and urinary tract infections (before 1970s). It is no longer available for therapeutic use. Cephaloridine acts like other cephalosporin and penicillin antibiotics by interfering with the final step of bacterial cell wall synthesis. As a result the cell wall weakens and cell lysis occurs. Cephaloridine is more commonly used in veterinary practice to treat mild to severe bacterial infections caused by penicillin resistant and penicillin sensitive bacterial species.

Choline is prescribed to pregnant women to prevent neural tube defects in offsprings. It is used as a supplement in infant formulas to promote brain growth and intelligence. Choline may help reduce the severity and the number of asthma attacks. There is some evidence that higher doses (3 g per day for adults) work better than lower doses. Since choline deficiency causes muscle damage and abnormal deposition of fat in the liver, which results in a condition called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, it could possibly be used to treat the condition. Choline is consumed by athletes for bodybuilding and to delay fatigue in endurance sports. Choline’s other benefits include treatment of depression and memory loss. Choline could prevent cancer, and help in lowering cholesterol . Although humans can synthesize choline in small amounts, it must be consumed in the diet to maintain health. Most of the body's choline is found in specialized fat molecules known as phospholipids, the most common of which is called phosphatidylcholine. It is found in foods like meat, eggs, poultry, fish, dairy products, potatoes, cruciferous vegetables, some bean, nuts and seeds.

Cromolyn Sodium Oral Inhalation is an inhaled anti-inflammatory agent, prescribed for asthma attacks due to exercise, allergies and other factors.

Dexamethasone Oral is a corticosteroid, prescribed for certain conditions associated with decreased adrenal gland function.

Doxofylline is an antitussive, prescribed for asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Ephedrine is a central nervous system stimulant, prescribed for breathing problems (as a bronchodilator) and for nasal congestion. It is also used for lowering blood pressure. The medication reduces swelling of blood vessels in the nasal passage and widens the air way thereby enhances easy breathing.

Epinephrine/ Chlorpheniramine is an antidote, prescribed for potentially dangerous allergic reactions to insect stings or bites, foods, drugs or other substances. It is also used for asthma.

Erythromycin is an antibiotic, prescribed for certain types of bacterial infections such as bronchitis, diphtheria, legionnaires' disease, pertussis etc.

Etofylline is a bronchodilator. It is used for the treatment of asthma and other conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It can be used in premature infants who stop breathing. Etophylline is a theophylline derivative that relaxes the muscles of the bronchi. It can be used alone or with other anti-asthmatic drugs like theophylline.

Flunisolide is a corticosteroid, prescribed for asthma and allergic rhinitis. It arrests the release of chemicals in the body that cause inflammation.

Fluticasone is a synthetic glucocorticoid, prescribed for preventing asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It reduces inflammatory reactions in the airways. Topical: Topical preparation is used for certain types of skin conditions such as allergic reactions, eczema and psoriasis.

Hydrocortisone is a corticosteroid, prescribed for severe allergies, arthritis, asthma, multiple sclerosis and skin conditions.

Ipratropium Bromide is a bronchodilator, opens the air passages to the lungs, making it easier to breathe. It is used - on a regular schedule - to prevent bronchospam caused by chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and other lung diseaes. It is not used to treat bronchospasm attacks when a rapid response is required.

Isoetharine is a bronchodilator, prescribed for asthma.

Isoprenaline is a sympathomimetic agent, prescribed for slow or fast heart beat, asthma and chronic bronchitis.

Isoproterenol Inhalation is a sympathomimetic compound, prescribed for asthma, heart attack and shock. Isoproterenol Inhalation relaxes the muscles in the airways and aid in breathing.

Ketotifen is an antihistamine, prescribed for asthma, allergic conjunctivitis and other allergic conditions.

Levalbuterol HCl is a bronchodilator, prescribed for the treatment or prevention of bronchospasm in adults, adolescents and children 6 years of age and older.

Mepolizumab is a monoclonal antibody used as an add-on maintenance treatment for treating patients with severe eosinophilic asthma. Eosinophilic asthma is a type of asthma where the number of white blood cells called eosinophils is high in the respiratory tract. The asthma can be severe and sometimes non-responsive to steroids. Mepolizumab is an interleukin-5 antagonist. It blocks the binding of interleukin-5 (a molecule produced by immune cells) to the eosinophils and thereby reduces the production, maturation, and circulation of the eosinophils. It is prescribed only for adults and children 12 years older.

Metaproterenol / Orciprenaline is a bronchodilator, prescribed for asthma and other respiratory diseases. It relaxes the muscles in the airways and improves breathing.

Mometasone Furoate and Formoterol Fumarate contains corticosteroid and bronchodilator, prescribed for asthma.

Montelukast is a leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs), prescribed for asthma.

Nedocromil Inhalation Aerosol is an anti-inflammatory agent, prescribed for asthma attacks.

Omalizumab is a recombinant monoclonal antibody, prescribed for moderate to severe asthma. It reduces the allergic responses in the body.

Oxtriphylline is a bronchodilator, prescribed for asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema.

Ozagrel is used as an antiplatelet drug for conditions like cerebral ischemia (reduced blood supply to a part of the brain) and to treat bronchial asthma. It is a thromboxane A2 inhibitor; thus it blocks platelet aggregation and reduces hypersensitivity of the bronchial muscles. The drug is currently not available in the United States.

Pirfenidone is prescribed for treating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis which is a severe irreversible disease marked by a progressive decline in lung function. The scarring of lungs is caused by some unknown origin. The exact mechanism of action of pirfenidone is not known. Pirfenidone is thought to reduce the lung fibrosis (scarring and thickening of lungs) by decreasing the release or activity of naturally occurring substances in the body such as certain growth factors.

Prednisone regulates the symptoms of low corticosteroid levels, and is used to treat arthritis, severe allergic reactions, multiple sclerosis, lupus, and certain conditions that affect the lungs, skin, eyes, kidneys blood, thyroid, stomach, and intestines.

Prenoxdiazine is a peripherally acting cough suppressant used to treat non-productive or dry cough. It works in the respiratory tract and reduces the tussal impulses. It is used to treat dry cough that occurs in acute respiratory viral infection, bronchitis, pharyngitis and asthma.

Reslizumab is an interleukin 5 antagonist monoclonal antibody that is prescribed along with other medications as an add-on treatment for asthma in patients above 18 years or in patients with eosinophilic phenotype (1). The drug mainly acts by reducing the white blood cells which lead to asthma.

Salmeterol is a long-acting beta2-adrenergic receptor agonist, prescribed for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Salmeterol and Fluticasone contains corticosteroid and long-acting bronchodilator, prescribed for asthma.

Terbutaline is a bronchodilator, prescribed for asthma, bronchitis and emphysema.

Theophylline is a bronchodilator, prescribed for asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and other lung diseases.

Tinocordin is an immunomodulator, prescribed for tuberculosis, bronchitis, asthma, adjuvant in cancer chemotherapy, and other infectious diseases.

Triamcinolone is a corticosteroid, prescribed for arthritis, skin, blood, kidney, eye, thyroid and intestinal disorders, severe allergies and asthma.

Zafirlukast is an oral leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA), prescribed for asthma.

Zileuton is a leukotriene synthesis inhibitor, prescribed for asthma.