Drug therapy Major drug classes commonly used in the treatment of asthma and asthma exacerbations include Bronchodilators (beta or beta-2 adrenergic receptor agonists, anticholinergics) Corticosteroids Leukotriene modifiers Mast cell stabilizers Methylxanthines Immunomodulators Drugs in these classes (see table Drug Treatment of Chronic Asthma) are inhaled, taken orally, or injected subcutaneously or intravenously; inhaled drugs come in aerosolized and powdered forms.