| Summary: | Asthma is a chronic lung disease characterized by reversible airway obstruction, inflammation, and increased airway responsiveness. There are currently two categories of medications used in asthma treatment : controller medications and quick relief (or rescue) medications. Although all patients with persistent asthma should have a short-acting relief medication on hand for treatment of exacerbations and a controller medication for long-term control, this report will focus on the following currently available controller medications: inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs), Long-Acting Beta-2 Agonists (LABAs), leukotriene modifiers, anti-IgE medications, and combination products. The purpose of this review is to compare the benefits and harms of controller medications used in the treatment of persistent asthma as, well as look for subgroups that may differ in these areas, to assist healthcare providers and policy makers in making clinical decisions, creating formularies, and developing policies regarding long-term asthma control medications based on the most current available literature
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