What do doctors usually give you to take when you are having an asthma attack?

Bronchodilators etc.: An asthma patient has episodes of bronchoconstriction (airways tighten up) plus swelling of the airways & increased mucus. Inhalers like albuterol relax & open up airways; inhalers like Flovent (steroid) prevent or decrease swelling & mucus. In more severe attacks, extra oxygen is given, as well as oral or injectable steroids (prednisolone). Preventive medicines like singulair (montelukast) can also help.

Many...: There are now many meds given during an acute asthma exacerbation. Examples of these include b-agonist bronchodilators, steroids (inhaled and/or systemic), oxygen, etc.