Salbutamol is the most widely used medicine for the treatment of asthma. It works on receptors inside the breathing tubes (airways) and causes them relax and widen. It is a very safe medication and can either be used regularly or when symptoms develop.

Some people find it helpful to use salbutamol prior to a known trigger for example before going out into the cold weather or before exercise.

Sometimes your doctor might prescribe a long acting version of a beta agonist. These drugs work in exactly the same way but they have a longer duration of effect. These inhalers are usually given in combination with a steroid inhaler.