 There are many different medications that patients with asthma take to control or prevent their symptoms, and they come in several different dosage forms. Some medications come in tablets, liquids, or capsules that are taken by mouth. Examples of these include prednisone tablets, methylprednisone liquid, albuterol tablets, and theothelin capsules. However, most of the medications are inhaled directly into the lungs so that the medication is delivered directly to the site of action. The first category is the fast-acting medications, or what is called rescue medications. These medications work very quickly to relax the smooth muscle in the airways and decrease the constriction of the bronchioles. They are used when patients are having trouble breathing and need immediate asthma relief, like during an asthma attack. Examples of rescue medications include albuterol inhalers, also known as Proventil or Ventolin, also Turbutylene, which is also known as breath air or Breathing. Another example is Ipertropium, also known as Atravent, and then when they have the combination of albuterol and Ipertropium, known as Compovent. These medications come in a number of dosage forms, but are most often administered by inhaler or nebulizer for immediate relief. If the asthma symptoms are severe, the doctor might also prescribe a steroid to be taken by mouth to decrease the inflammation and swelling in the lungs. Examples of steroids might include methylprednisone, also known as MedDrawl. Prednisone, also known as DeltaZone, or Azone, or LiquidPred. And then finally, Prednisolone, also known as Preloan or PediaPred. The other category of medications includes all of the longer-acting medicines. These medications treat the underlying inflammation that is present in the airways and decrease mucus production. These medications are taken every day on a scheduled basis to prevent or decrease the number of asthma attacks that a patient may have. What this means is that patients may need to take the medication a prescribed number of times each day, regardless of if they are having an attack or not. These medications should never be used in an emergency or used to treat acute attacks because they do not work quickly enough to provide the relief. Some examples of long-term control medications include inhaled medications like Beclomethazone, also known as Beclavent. Budesonide, also known as Palmicort. Fluanisolide, also known as Aerobid. Pluticasone, or Fluavent. Triamcinolone, or Asthmacort. Chromalin, or Entowl. Nettochromyl, or Tylaid. SalmeDrawl, or Cerevent. And then the combination of Pluticasone and SalmeDrawl, which is known as AdBear. Oral long-term medications include Zephyrleucast, or Acolyte. Xylutin, or Xiflo. Theophelin, also known as Theodore, or SlowBid. And then Albuterol Extended Release, which is known as Vulmax, or Prevental Repetabs.