What medication is commonly prescribed for patients to use before exercise to prevent bronchospasm?

Albuterol is a short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) that is frequently used as a rescue medication for patients with asthma or other obstructive airway diseases. It works by relaxing the smooth muscles in the airways, leading to dilation and improved airflow. In preventing exercise-induced bronchospasm, albuterol can be administered approximately 15 to 30 minutes before physical activity, providing rapid onset of action that helps open the airways and alleviate symptoms such as wheezing and shortness of breath.

The other options serve different purposes or have different effects. Montelukast is a leukotriene receptor antagonist that helps control asthma symptoms by reducing inflammation and bronchoconstriction but is not typically used acutely before exercise. Ipratropium bromide is an anticholinergic medication mainly used for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is less effective in immediate bronchospasm prevention compared to albuterol. Salmeterol, a long-acting beta-agonist (LABA), is intended for long-term control of asthma and not for immediate relief, as it takes longer to act compared to albuterol and is not recommended for use before exercise.