A patient receiving drug therapy for asthma may be prescribed which type of medication?

Corticosteroids are a mainstay in the treatment of asthma, particularly for managing inflammation and controlling symptoms. These medications work by reducing inflammation in the airways, which helps to improve breathing and prevent asthma attacks. They can be administered orally, through inhalation, or via injection, depending on the severity of the condition and the specific needs of the patient.

Patients with asthma often experience chronic inflammation, and corticosteroids address this issue effectively, making them an essential part of long-term asthma management. By controlling inflammation, these medications help to prevent exacerbations and improve overall lung function.

Other classes of medications, while important in different contexts, do not serve the same purpose in asthma treatment. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections, antidepressants address mood disorders, and antihistamines are typically utilized for allergy relief. While antihistamines may provide some symptomatic relief for patients with allergies which can trigger asthma, they do not directly address the underlying inflammatory process that corticosteroids target.