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