Asthma & COPD Meds - Clinical Pearls Flashcards
Albuterol (ProAir, Ventolin, Proventil)
- Chronic use (>2 times daily) indicates poor control
- Correct use with a holding chamber is equally effective as mebulizer treatment for mild/moderate exacerbations
Levalbuterol (Xopenex)
- Reserved for patients who do not respond to albuterol
Ipratropium (Atrovent HFA)
- Should not be used as first line therapy
Albuterol/Ipratropium (DuoNeb)
- May be used up for up to 3 hours for initial management of severe exacerbation
Methylprednisolone
- Can be used in patients taking ICS before exacerbation
- Can be used as chronic therapy in COPD and Asthma for severe stages
Prednisolone
- Can be used in patients taking ICS before exacerbation
- Can be used as chronic therapy in COPD and Asthma for severe stages
Prednisone
- Can be used in patients taking ICS before exacerbation
- Can be used as chronic therapy in COPD and Asthma for severe stages
Dexamethasone
- Can be used in patients taking ICS before exacerbation
- Can be used as chronic therapy in COPD and Asthma for severe stages
Methylprednisolone Acetate
- Can be used in patients taking ICS before exacerbation
- Can be used as chronic therapy in COPD and Asthma for severe stages
- Repository injection for patients with vomiting or adherence issues
Epinephrine
- No proven benefit of systemic use over aerosol
- Added to standard therapy for acute asthma if anaphylaxis/angioedema suspected
Tertbutaline
- No proven benefit of systemic use over aerosol
Magnesium Sulfate IV
- Can consider if patient in life-threatening exacerbation 1 hour after therapy
- Given via IV infusion
Beclomethasone (QVAR)
- Lowest effective dose should be used
- Most effective long-term controller class
- Increased risk of pneumonia in COPD patients
Budesonide (Pulmicort)
- Lowest effective dose should be used
- Most effective long-term controller class
- Increased risk of pneumonia in COPD patients
Ciclesonide (Alvesco)
- Lowest effective dose should be used
- Most effective long-term controller class
- Increased risk of pneumonia in COPD patients