Overview Therapeutic strategies for treating asthma are via decreasing inflammation increasing sympathetic tone There are 7 families of drugs that are commonly used: corticosteroids β-agonists muscarinic antagonists methylxanthines cromolyn antileukotrienes omalizumab Corticosteroids These medications are the first line therapy for chronic asthma (inhaled) Drugs mometasone fluticasone budesonide beclomethasone triamcinolone flunisolide Mechanism inhibiting the synthesis of virtually all cytokines inactivating NF-κB NF-κB is the transcription factor that induces the production of TNF-α and other inflammatory agents Toxicity oral candidiasis use spacers or post-inhalation mouth rinse to prevent