Which medication is NOT used for acute asthma relief?

Prednisone is a corticosteroid that is primarily used for long-term management of asthma rather than for immediate relief of acute symptoms. It works by reducing inflammation in the airways, but it takes hours to days to exert its effects. This makes it unsuitable for quick alleviation of acute asthma attacks that require rapid bronchodilation.

In contrast, medications such as albuterol and terbutaline are short-acting beta-agonists that provide quick relief by relaxing the muscles around the airways, making them effective for acute asthma treatment. Ipratropium, an anticholinergic bronchodilator, can also provide immediate relief and is sometimes used in combination with beta-agonists for acute exacerbations. Thus, while prednisone plays a critical role in the overall management of asthma, particularly in reducing chronic inflammation, it is not appropriate for the immediate relief of acute asthma symptoms.