A 17 Year old male complains of recurrent episodes of cough, wheeing and shoness of breath paicularly at night for the last 3 days. His sibling has a history of similar symptoms. A skin test with pollen produces immediate wheal and flare. He should be treated with

The patient is having atopic asthma,with sensitization to allergens like pollen,dust mites,etc.The primary modality of treatment for asthma is bronchodilators,which give rapid relief of symptoms mainly through relaxation of airway smooth muscle and relieving bronchoconstriction.Beta agonists(sho acting and long acting),anticholinergics and theophylline are three classes of bronchodilators in current use,of which beta agonists like salbutamol,terbutaline,salmeterol are the most effective. Ref:Harrison's medicine-18th edition,page no: 2109,2110.