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 |