ASTHMA/ALLERGIES MEDS

Question 1

ASTHMA: Purpose of bronchodilators?

Answer 1

Causes bronchodilation through relaxing bronchiolar smooth muscle.
Binding to and activating pulmonary beta 2 receptors

Question 2

ASTHMA: Short-Acting Beta 2 Agonist (SABA)

Answer 2

Fast acting reliever drug
Use during asthma attack or before trigger activities

Question 3

ASTHMA: Short-Acting Beta 2 Agonist (SABA)
Albuterol (ProAir, Proventil, Ventolin) - inhaled drug

Answer 3

Carry at all times
Stops life-threatening bronchoconstriction

Question 4

ASTHMA: Short-Acting Beta 2 Agonist (SABA)
Levalbuterol (Xopenex)

Answer 4

Tachycardia
5 min before other inhaled drugs (allow bronchodilation effect to increase penetration of other drugs)

Question 5

ASTHMA: Long-Acting Beta 2 Agonist (LABA)

Answer 5

Bronchodilators
Slow with long duration
Prevention of asthma attack

Question 6

ASTHMA: Long-Acting Beta 2 Agonist (LABA)
Salmeterol (Serevent) - Inhaled drug
Indacaterol (Arcapta Neohaler) COPD ONLY, Inhaled drug

Formoterol (Perforomist)
Arformoterol (Brovana) COPD ONLY

Answer 6

Not used as reliever drugs
Slow onset, does not relieve acute symptoms

Question 7

ASTHMA: Cholinergic Antagonist

Answer 7

Bronchodilation by inhibiting the parasympathetic nervous system. Sympathetic system dominates.

Releases norepinephrine, activates beta 2 receptors.

Improve gas exchange
Relieve and prevent asthma!!!

Question 8

ASTHMA: Cholinergic Antagonist
Ipratropium (Atrovent, Apo-Ipravent) Inhaled drug

Answer 8

Carry all times
Stop life-threatening bronchoconstriction

Question 9

ASTHMA: Cholinergic Antagonist
Tiotropium (Spiriva)

Answer 9

Shake well (drugs separate)
Dry mouth (increase fluids)
Blurred vision, eye pain, headache, nausea, palpitations, tremors, cant sleep (overdose symptoms)

Question 10

ASTHMA: Anti inflammatories

Answer 10

Improve bronchiolar airflow and increase gas exchange. Do not cause bronchodilation

Question 11

ASTHMA: Corticosteroids

Answer 11

Disrupt pathways of inflammatory mediators.
Prevent an asthma attack caused by inflammation or allergies
(Controller drug)

Question 12

ASTHMA: Corticosteroids
Fluticasone (Ellipta) - MDI inhaled drug
Beclomethasone (Qvar) - MDI inhaled drug
Budesonide (Pulmicort) MDI inhaled drug

Answer 12

Use daily (48-72 hrs max effect)
Good mouth care (increase risk for local infections, Candida)
Slow onset, do not relieve acute symptoms

Question 13

ASTHMA: Corticosteroids
Prednisone (oral drug)

Answer 13

Increased risk for infection
Bruising and petechiae
Take with food - reduce GI ulceration
Don’t stop quick (suppresses adrenal production

Question 14

ASTHMA: Cromone

Answer 14

Stabilizes the membranes of mast cells and prevents release of inflammatory mediators.
Prevent asthma attack

Question 15

ASTHMA: Cromone
Nedocromil (Tilade) inhaled drug

Answer 15

Use daily (max effect 48-72 hrs)
Slow onset, does not relieve acute symptoms

Question 16

ASTHMA: Leukotriene Modifier

Answer 16

Blocks leukotriene receptor
Prevents inflammatory mediator from stimulating inflammation
Prevent asthma attack

Question 17

ASTHMA: Leukotriene Modifier
Montelukast (Singulair) - oral drug

Answer 17

Use daily (48-72 hrs) max effect
Do not decrease dose or stop taking other asthma drugs (long-term and does not replace other drugs - corticosteroids and reliever drugs)

Question 18

ASTHMA: Xanthine drugs (Theophylline and Aminophylline)

Answer 18

Possible toxicity
Monitor neurotherapeutic effects

Question 19

ALLERGIES: Meds include?

Answer 19

Supportive therapy - no nasal washing
Complementary and alternate therapy - VC and zinc

Steroids - anti inflammatory effect, decrease edema in the bronchial airways, decrease mucous

Leukotriene inhibitors - Montelukast (Singulair)

Antihistamines - Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)

Eye decongestants
Nasal - reboud

Bronchodilators

Antipyretics

Mast cell stabilizers