Glossary
Beta-agonists
Asthma drugs that relax the muscles around the bronchial tubes ("bronchodilators"), thus opening the airways or helping keep them open. There are two main types. The long-acting type is taken every day to prevent symptoms, often in combination with a steroid. The short-acting type is used for quick relief of symptoms during an asthma episode/attack. Albuterol is the most commonly used short-acting beta-agonist.