Which drug is commonly used to prevent airway inflammation in asthma patients?

Cromolyn sodium is recognized for its role as a prophylactic agent in asthma management, specifically aimed at preventing airway inflammation and bronchoconstriction. It functions as a mast cell stabilizer, inhibiting the release of inflammatory mediators that can trigger asthma attacks. By preventing this release, cromolyn sodium helps to reduce both the frequency and severity of asthma symptoms.

In contrast, medications such as albuterol serve as bronchodilators, providing rapid relief from acute asthma symptoms by relaxing the muscles around the airways. While effective during an asthma attack, they do not directly prevent airway inflammation, which is the primary focus of cromolyn sodium.

Morphine, while a potent analgesic, is not used in asthma treatment and can actually cause respiratory depression, making it inappropriate for this condition. Ipratropium is an anticholinergic bronchodilator, often used to provide symptomatic relief rather than prevent inflammation.

Thus, cromolyn sodium is the appropriate choice for preventing airway inflammation in patients with asthma due to its unique mechanism of action aimed directly at stabilizing the airway and preventing inflammatory mediator release.