Table 2.

Main drug classes and their use in EIB.

Class	Name	Pharmacological Effect	Indication
Short-Acting Beta 2 Agonist	Salbutamol, Terbutaline	Quick relief from bronchoconstriction	Suitable for rapid relief but not intended for chronic usage unless the individual is concurrently on ICS or ICS/LABA maintenance therapy
Long-Acting Beta 2 Agonist	Formoterol, Vilanterol, Olodaterol	Maintenance treatment for bronchoconstriction	Not intended for chronic usage, except when used in combination with ICS
Inhaled Corticosteroids (ICS)	Beclometasone, Budesonide, Fluticasone Furoate, Fluticasone Propionate	Reduces airway inflammation	Used as monotherapy or in combination and not intended for rapid relief
Short-Acting Muscarinic Agent	Ipratropium, Oxitropium	Provides bronchodilation	The use of these medications before exercise to prevent EIB is a subject of controversy and remains an experimental approach
Long-Acting Anti-Muscarinic	Tiotropium, Umeclidinium, Glycopyrronium	Maintenance treatment for bronchoconstriction	There is no existing evidence regarding the use of this class of medications in athletes as monotherapy
ICS/LABA	Combination therapies that include Inhaled Corticosteroids (ICS) and Long-Acting Beta 2 Agonists (LABA)	Management of asthma in athletes	Used both as needed and for maintenance therapy and typically considered the first-line treatment for mild-to-moderate asthma
Biologic Agents	Omalizumab, Mepolizumab, Benralizumab, Dupilumab	Treatment for severe asthma in athletes and allergic reactions	Used in severe asthma, and they are not contraindicated in asthmatic athletes
Leukotriene Modifier	Montelukast, Zafirlukast, Pranlukast	Management of asthma in athletes	Reduces exercise-induced bronchoconstriction and provides protection against bronchoconstriction triggered by exposure to pollutants
Cromones	Cromolyn sodium, Nedocromil sodium	Prophylactic treatment for asthma, especially in athletes	Permitted for use by athletes but may not be accessible in many markets