What type of medication is often used to manage chronic asthma?

The correct answer is leukotrienes, which are a class of medications specifically designed to manage and treat chronic asthma. These medications work by blocking the action of leukotrienes, substances in the body that cause inflammation and constriction of airways, leading to asthma symptoms like wheezing and shortness of breath. By inhibiting leukotriene receptors or reducing the production of leukotrienes, these medications help to reduce airway inflammation, improve lung function, and decrease the frequency of asthma attacks.

While anti-inflammatories are also beneficial in managing asthma, particularly corticosteroids that reduce inflammation in the airways, leukotrienes specifically target the leukotriene pathway, making them a key option for asthma management. Antibiotics are typically used to treat bacterial infections, not asthma, and analgesics are pain relievers that do not affect asthma symptoms.