Quick-relief 'rescue' medicines

These medicines also are called short-acting bronchodilators. They relieve asthma symptoms right away and last 4 to 6 hours. Albuterol is the most commonly used quick-relief medicine for asthma. Levalbuterol (Xopenex) is another.

Although these medicines work quickly, they can't keep your child's symptoms from coming back. If the symptoms are frequent or serious, a long-term control medicine such as an inhaled corticosteroid is needed.

Your child's asthma is not under control if your child often needs to use a quick-relief inhaler. Relying on a quick-relief inhaler to control symptoms puts your child at risk of a serious asthma attack. It's also a sign that your child's healthcare professional needs to think about making treatment changes. Track the use of quick-relief medicines. Then share the information with your child's healthcare team at every visit.

Asthma attacks are treated with rescue medicines and with corticosteroids taken by mouth or by shot.