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. 2020 Jan;72(1):1–49. doi: 10.1124/pr.118.016899

TABLE 1.

Overview of current asthma drugs

Drug Category Target Mechanism of Action Medical Use Examples
ICSs Long-term control medications Glucocorticoid receptors Suppression of airway inflammation Mild/Moderate persistent asthma Budesonide, beclomethasone, fluticasone
LABAs Long-term control medications β2AR Relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle Moderate to severe asthma Salmeterol, formoterol, olodaterol
LAMAs Long-term control medications MRs (functional selectivity for M3R) Relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle Uncontrolled asthma Tiotropium, umeclidinium, glycopyrrolate
LTRAs Long-term control medications CysLT receptor 1 Antagonize actions of leukotrienes in the airway Secondary option for mild/moderate persistent asthma Montelukast, pranlukast, zafirlukast
Other leukotriene modifier Long-term control medications 5-LOX Inhibit the formation of leukotrienes Secondary option for mild/moderate persistent asthma Zileuton
Methylxanthines Long-term control medications Phosphodiesterase 3, adenosine receptors Relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle Secondary option for mild/moderate persistent asthma Theophylline
Mast cell stabilizer Long-term control medications Calcium-activated potassium channels Inhibit the release of inflammatory mediators Mild persistent asthma Cromolyn
Oral and intravenous corticosteroids Quick-relief (rescue) medications Glucocorticoid receptors Suppression of airway inflammation Severe asthma Prednisolone, prednisone, methylprednisolone
SABAs Quick-relief (rescue) medications β2AR Relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle Severe asthma Albuterol, levalbuterol
SAMAs Quick-relief (rescue) medications MRs (no selectivity for M3R) Relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle Acute asthma exacerbation Ipratropium, oxitropium
Antibodies Biologic agents IgE and ILs Reducing inflammation by blocking IgE and ILs Allergic and severe asthma Omalizumab, mepolizumab, dupilumab