Which medication is typically prescribed as a steroid for asthma management?

Prednisone is commonly prescribed as a steroid for asthma management because it is a glucocorticoid that helps to reduce inflammation in the airways. In patients with asthma, inflammation plays a significant role in the exacerbation of symptoms and can lead to increased airway resistance and difficulty breathing. By mitigating this inflammation, prednisone can help improve airflow and reduce the frequency and severity of asthma attacks.

Inhaled corticosteroids are often the first line of treatment for long-term asthma control, but oral corticosteroids like prednisone may be used for intensive management during acute exacerbations or in cases where other treatments are insufficient.

Other medications listed, such as albuterol, are bronchodilators that provide quick relief of asthma symptoms but do not have the same anti-inflammatory effects as corticosteroids. Montelukast is a leukotriene receptor antagonist that helps to lower inflammation and mucus production in asthma but is not classified as a steroid. Ipratropium is an anticholinergic medication used as a bronchodilator, primarily in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and not specifically a steroid. Thus, prednisone stands out as the medication that directly addresses asthma through its steroidal anti-inflammatory properties.