Medication used to treat an acute episode of pain or exacerbation of a chronic condition such as migraine or asthma; a particular drug used for this purpose.
Origin
1980s; earliest use found in Pain.
Definition of rescue medication in US English:
rescue medication
noun
Medication used to treat an acute episode of pain or exacerbation of a chronic condition such as migraine or asthma; a particular drug used for this purpose.