Which medication is used for chronic asthma control but is not for acute relief?

Which medication is used for chronic asthma control but is not for acute relief?

• A. Montelukast
• B. Albuterol inhaler
• C. Epinephrine
• D. Theophylline

Answer: (A)

Montelukast fits this role because it’s a daily preventive medicine that targets airway inflammation rather than providing immediate bronchodilation. It’s taken regularly to reduce the frequency and severity of symptoms, helping with chronic control, but it does not act quickly to open the airways during an attack, so it isn’t used for acute relief. In contrast, albuterol inhaler is a fast-acting rescue medication that rapidly relaxes airway smooth muscle to relieve symptoms during an attack or before exercise. Epinephrine is reserved for emergency situations and can rapidly reverse airway obstruction but isn’t suitable as routine maintenance due to systemic effects. Theophylline can be used for chronic control in some cases, but it has a narrow therapeutic window and more side effects, and it also doesn’t provide rapid relief.

Montelukast fits this role because it’s a daily preventive medicine that targets airway inflammation rather than providing immediate bronchodilation. It’s taken regularly to reduce the frequency and severity of symptoms, helping with chronic control, but it does not act quickly to open the airways during an attack, so it isn’t used for acute relief.

In contrast, albuterol inhaler is a fast-acting rescue medication that rapidly relaxes airway smooth muscle to relieve symptoms during an attack or before exercise. Epinephrine is reserved for emergency situations and can rapidly reverse airway obstruction but isn’t suitable as routine maintenance due to systemic effects. Theophylline can be used for chronic control in some cases, but it has a narrow therapeutic window and more side effects, and it also doesn’t provide rapid relief.