Which drug is considered a beta-agonist and is used in the treatment of asthma?

The drug classified as a beta-agonist and used in the management of asthma is albuterol. Albuterol works by stimulating beta-2 adrenergic receptors in the smooth muscle of the airways, leading to their relaxation and resulting in bronchodilation. This action helps relieve symptoms of asthma, such as wheezing and shortness of breath, especially during an asthma attack or when a patient is experiencing exercise-induced bronchospasm.

Salbutamol, although it is the international nonproprietary name (INN) for albuterol and essentially serves the same purpose, is often associated with a different naming convention depending on the region. Both drugs are similar in their mechanism of action and therapeutic use, but in the context of this particular choice structure, albuterol is the name more widely recognized in the United States.

Prednisone is a corticosteroid used to reduce inflammation but does not have direct bronchodilator effects. Montelukast, on the other hand, is a leukotriene receptor antagonist that helps prevent asthma symptoms by modifying inflammatory processes but does not function as a beta-agonist. Therefore, albuterol stands out as the correct option due to its specific action as a beta-agonist in asthma treatment.