Asthma Specific Medications

Question 1

When can you use long-acting inhaled beta2 agonists with asthma?

Answer 1

ONLY WHEN OTHER MEDS ARE NOT WORKING

Causes death because short-term meds do not work

Question 2

Asthma Medications

Answer 2

Long term control
1. meds acting on inflammatory response
2. inhaled steroids (most common)
3. inhaled anticholinergics
4. long-acting beta agonist

Short term control
1. short-acting beta agonist
2. systemic corticosteroids

Question 3

Severe Asthma Attack (status asthmaticus or airway obstruction)

Answer 3

PRIMARY DOC- EPINEPHRINE
(use this first to open up airways)

Use with beta agonist (albuterol)
(use 2nd so can act on lungs)
- continuous with status asthmaticus
CHECK K+ LEVEL WITH CONTINUOUS BECAUSE CAN RESULT IN HYPOKALEMIA
NEED ECG MONITOR

Antihistamine- used for underlying issue (allergic reaction itself)

Question 4

Epinephrine

Answer 4

1. MUST GIVE IM or IV FIRST to open up airways
2. Some people carry and epi pen with life threatening allergies
3. IF EPI PEN IS USED CALL 911

Question 5

Asthma Prophylaxis
(inhibit Inflammation)

Answer 5

Leukotriene antagonist
MOA- release of leukotrienes (think white blood cells) - results in inflammation, bronchoconstriction, mucus production. These meds block this process (good for allergy induced asthma)

Block receptors for leukotrienes- “luka” family
- zafirlukast, montelukast (what i take)