Asthma Flashcards
S/sx of asthma? U
Wheezing
Breathlessness
Chest tightness
Coughing
List the common triggers of asthma
Allergens e.g. Airborne pollens
Drugs e.g aspirin
Environmental e.g. Cold air, fog
Exercise e.g. Cold air
Occupational e.g. Bakers
Respiratory infections e.g. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
List drugs that may trigger asthma
Aspirin
NSAIDs
Sulfites
Non-selective beta-blocker
Classify drugs used to treat asthma? U
Controllers
OR
Relievers
Define controller asthma meds
Drugs taken on a chronic daily basis to keep asthma under control, primarily by reducing inflammation
What’s the primary MOA of controller asthma meds?
Primarily by reducing inflammation
Define asthma reliever meds
Used as needed to quickly reverse bronchoconstriction
OR
Preventively for exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB)
What’s the preferred delivery vehicle of asthma meds?
Inhaled forms, which deliver drugs directly into the lungs and have reduced toxicity
What’s the most effective and preferred controller asthma med?
Inhaled steroids (glucocorticosteroids)
What’s the most effective and preferred reliever asthma med for acute bronchospasm and for prevention of EIB in both adults and children and pregnancy?
Rapid-acting beta-agonists (primarily Albuterol)
What does increased use of reliever asthma meds imply? Solution?
Indicates worsening asthma control and indicates the need to reassess tx
Primary tx is an increase in inhaled steroid dose
List main classes of asthma rescuers - agents commonly used in asthma exacerbation
Short-acting beta2-agonists
Systemic steroids (inj or oral)
Anticholinergic
List main classes of controller asthma meds - agents used in long-term maintenance therapy
Inhaled steroids
Long-acting beta2-agonists (taken with steroids)
Leukotriene modifying agents
Theophylline
Omalizumab (Xolair)
MOA of beta2-agonists?
Bind to beta2 receptors causing relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle resulting in bronchodilation - inhaled route is the preferred route of admin
List short-acting beta2-agonists (SABAs) - rescue meds
Racepinephrine (Asthmanefrin atomizer)
Albuterol (Ventolin HFA, Proventil HFA, ProAir HFA)
Levalbuterol (Xopenex, Xopenex HFA)
Purbuterol (Maxair Autohaler)
What’s the brand name of Albuterol? Rescue asthma med
Ventolin HFA, Proventil HFA, ProAir HFA
What’s the brand name of Levalbuterol? Rescue asthma meds
Xopenex, Xopenex HFA
Which of the SABAs should not be used in asthma? Why not?
Racepinephrine (Asthmanefrin atomizer)
Bcuz it’s not beta2 selective
SE of SABAs?
Tremor
Shakiness
Lightheadedness
Cough
Palpitations
Hypokalemia
Tachycardia
Hyperglycemia
How to use MDIs?
Shake well before use
Prime prior to first use (3-4 sprays into the airway from face) AND again if not used for > 2weeks
When do you need to increase maintenance therapy?
Using SABAs > 2 days/week
What’s the drug of choice for exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB)?
SABAs
List agents under long-acting beta2-agonist (LABAs)
Salmeterol (Serevent Diskus)
Salmeterol + Fluticasone (Advair Diskus, Advair HFA) -LABA + corticosteroids
Formoterol (Foradil Aerolizer)
Formoterol + Budesonide (Symbicort) - LABA + corticosteroids
NOTE: SABAs and LABAs end with “terol” e,g albuTEROL
What’s the brand name of salmeterol + Fluticasone? LABAs + corticosteroids
Advair Diskus/ Advair HFA
What’s the brand name of formoterol + Budesonide? LABA + corticosteroid
Symbicort
What’s the dose of Advair Diskus (Salmeterol + Fluticasone)?
100, 250, 500mcg Fluticasone + 50mcg salmeterol
> = 4 yrs
What’s the dose of Advair HFA (Salmeterol + Fluticasone)?
45, 115, 230 mcg Fluticasone + 21mcg salmeterol
> = 12 yrs
What’s the dose of formoterol + Budesonide (Symbicort)? LABAs
80, 160mcg Budesonide + 4.5 mcg formoterol
> = 12yrs
What’s the black box warning of LABAs?
Increased risk of asthma related deaths
Don’t use as monotherapy in pts with persistent asthma
Howz LABAs used? (Salmeterol, advair Diskus, advair HFA, Symbicort etc
As adjunctive therapy in pts are currently receiving but not adequately controlled on long-term asthma control med eg inhaled corticosteroids
Are LABAs recommended for long-term use in asthma?
No!
Once asthma is controlled, assess pt at regular intervals and step down LABAs until d/c, if possible, without loss of asthma
Howz Foradil (Formoterol) LABAs stored? (Controller med)
Fridge in the pharmacy
Pt can keep at room temp for 4 months
List drugs under corticosteroids (controller). Are inhaled corticosteroids first line?
Beclomethasone HFA (QVAR)
Budesonide (Pulmicort Flexhaler; Respules)
Ciclesonide (Alvesco)
Flunisolide HFA (Aerospan HFA)
Fluticasone (Flovebpnt HFA)
Mometasone (asmanex twisthaler)
NOTE: corticosteroids end with either “nide/lide” and “sone”
Yes. They are first line
What’s the brand name of beclomethasone? Corticosteroids (controller)
QVAR
What’s the brand name of Fluticasone? Corticosteroids (controller)
Flovent HFA
SE of inhaled corticosteroids?
Dysphonia
Oral candidiasis (thrush)
Cough
High risk of fractures and pneumonia (with high dose, long-term use)
Growth retardation (in kids with high doses)
How to prevent oral candidiasis (thrush) with corticosteroids?
Rinse mouth and throat with warm water and spit out
OR
Use a spacer device
What’s the first line for long-term control for all ages and persistent asthma?
Inhaled corticosteroids
Budesonide (Pulmicort)
Beclomethasone HFA (QVAR)
Fluticasone HFA
Which of the inhaled corticosteroids has a ‘do not shake before use’?
QVAR (beclomethasone)
Alvesco (ciclesonide)