Medications used to treat asthma can be divided into control medications and relief medications. (1) Control medications: These are medications that require long-term daily use. They include inhaled glucocorticoids (hormones), systemic hormones, leukotriene modulators, long-acting β2-agonists (which must be combined with inhaled hormones), extended-release theophylline, sodium cromoglycate, anti-IgE antibodies and other drugs that help reduce the dose of systemic hormones. (2) Relief drugs: These are drugs used on an as-needed basis. These drugs relieve asthma symptoms by rapidly relieving bronchospasm, and include fast-acting inhaled β2-agonists, systemic hormones, inhaled anticholinergics, short-acting theophylline, and short-acting oral β2-agonists. Clinicians will prescribe individualized medications to control asthma with minimal side effects.