Rescue inhalers are used for immediate relief of symptoms. Which medication is a rescue inhaler?

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Rescue inhalers are designed to quickly open the airways during immediate symptoms of bronchospasm. The medication that fits this role is albuterol, a fast-acting beta-2 adrenergic agonist. When inhaled, it rapidly relaxes the smooth muscles lining the bronchi, usually taking effect within minutes and providing relief for a few hours. This quick action makes it ideal for sudden flare-ups of asthma or other breathing difficulties.

The other options don’t serve as rescue inhalers. An anticholinergic bronchodilator can help open airways but tends to have a slower onset and is used in different contexts or in combination with a fast-acting bronchodilator. Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor for high blood pressure and has no effect on airway smooth muscle. Theophylline is an older bronchodilator with a narrow safety margin and slower onset, not suitable for rapid relief.