Asthma drugs

Question 1

Beta2 adrenoceptor agonists
1) What is their mechanism of action in asthma?
2) Give an example of a short acting B2 agonist
3) Give an example of a long acting B2 agonist

Answer 1

1) Act directly on beta-2 receptors, causing smooth muscle relaxation and dilatation of the airways
2) Salbutamol, albuterol
3) Salmeterol, formoterol

Question 2

Corticosteroids
1) Why is inhalation the best method of administration for these drugs?
2) How do they work?
3) Why should someone rinse their mouth after use of these drugs?
4) Name an example of corticosteroids used in asthma

Answer 2

1) Avoid side effects
2) Decrease bronchial mucosal inflammation
3) Prevent oral candidiasis
4) Beclomethasone, fluticasone, prednisolone

Question 3

Long acting muscarinic antagonists
1) Give an example
2) How do they work?

Answer 3

1) Tiotropium, ipratropium
2) Block the acetylcholine receptors which results in bronchodilation

Question 4

Aminophylline
1) What is it metabolised into?
2) How does it work?

Answer 4

1) Theophylline
2) Phosphodiesterase inhibitor therefore decreases bronchoconstriction by increasing CAMP

Question 5

Cromoglycate
1) How does it work?
2) When might it be used?

Answer 5

1) Mast cell stabiliser
2) Prophylaxis of mils and exercise induced asthma, especially in children

Question 6

Leukotriene receptor antagonist
1) Give an example
2) How do they work?

Answer 6

1) Montelukast, zafirlukast
2) Leukotrienes are produced by the immune system and cause inflammation, bronchoconstriction and mucus secretion in the airways. Leukotriene receptor antagonists work by blocking the effects of leukotrienes

Question 7

Anti IgE monoclonal antibody
1) Give an example

Answer 7

1) Omalizumab

Question 8

Maintenance and reliever therapy (MART)
1) What is this therapy?
2) What is the advantage of this therapy?

Answer 8

1) Combination inhaler containing a low dose inhaled corticosteroid and a fast acting LABA
2) Patients only have to use 1 inhaler