Asthma Treatments Flashcards
What are two the main ‘first line’ drugs
- glucocorticoids (steroids)
- b2 adrenergic agonists (salbutamol/salmetarol)
There is 2 types of asthma, name them and some of their effects…
Chronic
- reoccurant attacks of reversible airway blockage or constriction
- treated with drugs
Acute (status asmaticus)
- can be deadly
- hard to reverse
Name so asthma charecteristics
- airway inflammation
- hyper-reactive bronchioles (sensitive to cold air, chemicals, stimulant drugs)
- Results in bronchoconstriction and mucous secretion
Name some triggers of an asthma attack…
Intrinsic triggers (non-atopic)
- excercise
- cold air
- respiratory infection
- atmosphere pollutions
Allergic Triggers (atopic)
- pollen
- dust mite proteins
- animal dander
What are the 2 phases of an asthma attack?
After the allergen has been inhaled:
- early stage (bronchospasm)
- late phase (inflimmations)
What damage do agents from inflammatory cells cause to the body in asthma?
- damage to & loss of bronchial epithelium
- smooth muscle cell hypertrophy and hyperplasia
- hyper-reactivity to irritant stimuli
True or false:
Bronchiodilators work on the early stage of asthmaa
TRUE
They help to dilate the bronchioles which helps in early bronchospasm.
Whats the role of bronchodilators?
To dilate the bronchioles and increase air flow to alveoli
They work by relaxing the smooth muscle around the walls of the bronchules
Name the types of Bronchodilators
- B2 adrenergic receptor agonists (salbutamol, slametarol)
- Theophylline (xanthine)
- Muscarenic Receptor Agonists (Ibratropium)
- Leukotriene receptor agonists (montelucast, zafirlikast)
Name the actions of B2 adrenergic receptor agonists…
- the act on B2 adrenoceptors on bronchioles smooth muscle to relax them
- inhibit mediator release from mast cells & monocytes
- may act on cilia to increase mucus clearance
Salbutamol,
Tarbutamol,
Salmetarol,
Are all asthma drugs under what category?
B2 receptor agonists in the Bronchiodilator category
SE
tremmor, some tolerance can occur but can be prevented by glucocorticoids
Xantine is a Theophylline bronchidilator, but form does this drug come in?
Sustained release tablets. Used with steroids when patients don’t respond to B2 agonists.
Because it’s a tablet, there are a few SE:
- CNS: tremmor, sleep disturbances
- Heart: Heart stimulant, vasodilation
- GI tract: Nausia, Vomiting
Ipratropium is a member of what bronchiodilator group, and what are it’s mechanisms?
It’s a Muscarininc Receptor Agonist
Works by blocking action of endogenous acetycholine at muscerinic recptors by relaxing bronchio smooth muscle and clearance of bronchial secretions.
Inhaled, few SE
What’s the action of Glucocorticoids on asthma treatment?
The reduce the production of:
Cytokins, spasmogens and leukocyte chemotaxins. SO… they reduce bronchiospasm, reduce recruitment and acivation of inflammitory cells.
Name some SE of Glucocorticoids?
Can cause oral thrush, dysphoria, if in high doses and regular administration can cause adrenal suppression (must carry a steroid card).
