Which medication is primarily used to relieve bronchospasm in patients with asthma?

Bronchodilators are primarily used to relieve bronchospasm in patients with asthma because they work by relaxing the muscles of the airways, which opens the bronchial tubes and improves airflow. This action is essential during an asthma attack when the airways become constricted, leading to difficulty in breathing. Bronchodilators can be short-acting, providing quick relief, or long-acting, helping to control asthma symptoms over a more extended period.

Other options do not directly address the immediate need for bronchodilation. Corticosteroids, while effective in reducing inflammation in the airways and preventing asthma symptoms in the long term, do not provide quick relief during an acute bronchospasm. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections and have no role in managing bronchial constriction associated with asthma. Analgesics are pain relievers and do not have any therapeutic effect on asthma or bronchospasm. Therefore, bronchodilators are specifically tailored to alleviate the immediate challenge of bronchospasm, making them the medication of choice in this context.