Chapter 3: Respiratory System Flashcards
DPIs are recommended in children over what age?
5 years
However, between 3 and 5 years DPI can be considered if existing treatment is ineffective
What is the MHRA advice surrounding PMDIs?
Risk of airway obstruction from aspiration of loose objects
Patients should be reminded to remove the mouthpiece cover fully, shake the device and check that both the outside and inside of the mouthpiece are clear and undamaged before inhaling a dose, and to store the inhaler with the mouthpiece cover on.
What are the different types of inhalers?
DPI
MDI
Breath actuated
How should you clean spacer devices?
The device should be cleaned once a month by washing in mild detergent and then allowed to dry in air without rinsing; the mouthpiece should be wiped clean of detergent before use.
How often should spacers be replaced?
Every 6-12 months
What are the main nebulised drugs and their associated indications?
- A beta 2 agonist or ipratropium bromide to a patient with an acute exacerbation of asthma or of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- A beta 2 agonist, corticosteroid, or ipratropium bromide on a regular basis to a patient with severe asthma or reversible airways obstruction when the patient is unable to use other inhalational devices
- An antibiotic (such as colistimethate sodium) or a mucolytic to a patient with cystic fibrosis
- Budesonide or adrenaline/epinephrine to a child with severe croup
- Pentamidine isetionate for the prophylaxis and treatment of pneumocystis pneumonia.
Why would you want to avoid high dose ICS in children?
Associated with adrenal suppression, growth impairment and reduced bone mineral density.
According to BTS guidelines, what should be prescribed if a patient has been diagnosed with asthma?
How does this differ in children?
SABA
Consider monitored initiation with low dose ICS
Still use SABA but can start with a VERY low dose of ICS
If the patient is still getting symptomatic, short-lived wheezes, this ICS should be used as a regular preventer
According to BTS and NICE guidelines, in what situations would a patient need a regular preventor?
- If they are using 3 or more doses of their SABA a week
- Symptomatic three times a week or more,
- Waking at night due to asthma symptoms at least once a week.
- Had asthma attack in the last 2 years
BTS asthma guidelines in adults:
If a patient is on a regular low dose ICS and SABA yet symptoms are not being controlled, what would the next step up be?
Add inhaled LABA (normally as a combination inhaler with ICS)
BTS asthma guidelines in adults:
Patient’s regular meds:
Low dose ICS and LABA combination
SABA
If no response to the LABA, what would the next step be?
Stop LABA and increase dose of ICS
BTS asthma guidelines in adults:
Patient’s regular meds:
Low dose ICS and LABA combination
SABA
If the patient is benefitting from the LABA yet symptoms are still not being controlled, what would the next step be?
Continue LABA and increase ICS to medium dose
At this point you can also consider trials of:
LTRA
S-R Theophylline
LAMA
BTS asthma guidelines in adults:
Patient’s regular meds:
Medium dose ICS and LABA combination
SABA
Has had a trial of LAMA/LTRA/SR-Theophylline
If a patient is still symptomatic, what would the next step be?
High dose therapies
Consider trial of:
High dose ICS
Addition of 4th drug e.g. LTRA, SR-Theophylline, beta agonist tablet, LAMA
Refer to specialist care
BTS asthma guidelines in adults:
After high dose therapies, what would the next step be?
Continuous or frequent use of oral steroids
Use daily steroid tablet in the lowest dose providing adequate control
Maintain high dose ICS
Refer to specialist care
In an asthma attack, if a patient required nebulisers, is this driven by air or oxygen?
Oxygen
For asthmatic children under 5 years, what type of inhaler is recommended for bronchodilator therapy?
Pressurised metered-dose inhaler and spacer device, with a facemask if necessary
For asthmatic children under 5 years, what type of inhaler is recommended for corticosteroid therapy?
Pressurised metered-dose inhaler and spacer device, with a facemask if necessary
For asthmatic children between 5 and 15, what type of inhaler is recommended for corticosteroid therapy?
Pressurised metered-dose inhaler and spacer device
For asthmatic children between 5 and 15, what type(s) of inhalers is recommended for bronchodilator therapy?
Consider a wider range of inhalers- not just PMDIs
All down to what suits the patient and compliance
What is the target peak expiratory flow in asthma?
> 80%
- BTS asthma guidelines recommend that ICS should be initially taken how many times a day?
2 .What steroid is the exception to this?
- Twice a day
(However, the same total daily dose, taken once a day, can be considered in patients with milder disease if good or complete control of asthma is established)
- Ciclesonide should be taken only once daily initially (only twice daily in severe asthma)
True or false:
BTS recommend that inhalers do not need to be prescribed by brand
False
They should be prescribed by brand
How long should be the initial trial of an ICS be in a child under 5?
After this trial, in what situation would you continue the ICS?
8 weeks and then review to see if it has benefitted
If they had another exacerbation within 4 weeks of stopping, then continue
When would you consider decreasing maintenance therapy for asthma?
What is the recommended dose reduction for ICS at a time and how often?
When a patient’s asthma has been controlled with their current maintenance therapy for at least three months
Reduction of 25-50% ICS dose every 3 months
Can inhaled corticosteroids be used during pregnancy for asthma?
Yes
Can oral corticosteroids be used during pregnancy for asthma?
Yes
What is 1st line for acute asthma in adults?
How does the administration route differ with non-life threatening vs life threatening?
High dose inhaled SABA (salbutamol or terbutaline) and oral prednisolone once daily for at least 5 days or until recovery
Non-life threatening - PMDI recommended
Life-threatening - oxygen driver nebuliser recommended
In what situation would you use IV beta 2 agonists for acute asthma in adults?
If inhaled therapy cannot be used reliably
In severe acute adult asthma, if the patient has poor response to nebulised SABA, what can be added?
Nebulised ipratropium
What kind of drug is ipratropium?
SAMA
What kind of drug is tiotropium?
LAMA
Are brands of ICS interchangeable?
No- all contain different doses of different steroids
Is LABA monotherapy recommended in asthma?
No
Should always have an ICS or combination inhaler with ICS
Associated with ADRs and death
What type of inhaler is an accuhaler?
DPI
What type of inhaler is an evohaler?
MDI
What is a disadvantage of a DPI?
Breath actuated, need to have respiratory effort for it
If not, MDI is more appropriate
What is the only LAMA licensed for asthma?
Tiotropium
Which tiotropium inhaler is licensed in asthma?
Spiriva Respimat 2.5 mcg (2 puffs OD)
The following are only licensed in COPD:
Braltus 10 microgram capsules (Zonda inhaler)
Spiriva 18 microgram capsules (Handihaler)
What is the only Seretide licensed in COPD?
Seretide 500 Accuhaler
The lower dose Seretide accuhalers and the evohalers are not licensed
(But all Seretides are licensed for asthma)
In children of all ages, what do you give for acute asthma?
Inhaled SABA
Once daily dose of oral prednisolone, usually for 3 days or until recovery
In children of all ages in acute asthma, if an inhaled SABA is not sufficient, what else can be given?
Nebulised ipratropium combined with SABA
BTS guidelines:
In paediatric asthmatic patients, if they are on a SABA and a very low dose ICS, what would the next step be?
<5 years: Add LTRA
5 years and above: Add inhaled LABA
BTS guidelines for paediatric asthma
If a patient is on:
SABA
Very low dose ICS
LABA
However there is no response to the LABA, what would the next step be?
Stop LABA and increase ICS to a low dose
BTS guidelines for paediatric asthma
If a patient is on:
SABA
Very low dose ICS
LABA/LTRA
If there is benefit from the LABA but control still inadequate, what would the next step be?
Continue LABA but increase ICS to a low dose
Also consider trial of other therapy e.g. LTRA if not on already
BTS guidelines for paediatric asthma
If a patient is on: SABA Low dose ICS LABA LTRA
What would the next step be?
Refer for specialist care
Consider trials of medium dose ICS
Addition of 4th drug e.g. SR-theophylline
If these do not work, may need daily steroid tablet at lowest dose providing control
How would you treat mild croup?
Mostly self-limiting
Single dose of corticosteroid e.g. dexamethasone may be helpful
How would you manage severe croup?
Hospital admission
Steroid- dexamethasone or prednisolone before admission
In hospital- give oral/IV dexamethasone or nebulised budesonide
If this does not provide control- nebulised adrenaline
If someone needed oxygen therapy, in what group of patients would you give low concentration rather than high?
COPD
CF
Overdose of opioid and benzos
Lung scarring by TB
Theophylline is given as an injection as what drug and why?
Aminophylline, a mixture of theophylline with ethylenediamine, which is 20 times more soluble than theophylline alone
Beta agonists can cause deficiency in what electrolyte?
In what group of patients would this be a particular caution?
Can cause hypokalaemia if high doses used
Severe asthma- may be potentiated by concomitant treatment with theophylline, corticosteroids
What are the common side effects of beta agonists?
Arrythmias Dizziness Headache Hypokalaemia (high doses) Tremor Palpitations Hyperglycaemia - needs monitoring in diabetics
What is the important safety info on the use of formoterol and salmeterol in asthma?
- Be added only if regular use of standard-dose inhaled corticosteroids has failed to control asthma adequately;
- not be initiated in patients with rapidly deteriorating asthma;
- be introduced at a low dose and the effect properly monitored before considering dose increase;
- be discontinued in the absence of benefit;
not be used for the relief of exercise-induced asthma symptoms unless regular inhaled corticosteroids are also used; - be reviewed as clinically appropriate: stepping down therapy should be considered when good long-term asthma control has been achieved.
What combination is in a Fostair inhaler?
Beclometasone and formoterol
What is a caution in nebulised ipratropium? (what can it cause)?
How can the risk of this be reduced?
Acute angle closed glaucoma, especially in combination with nebulised salbutamol.
Need to protect the patient’s eyes from nebulised drug or powder. If nebulised iptratropium is needed in a glaucoma patient, they need a very tight fitting nebs mask
ALSO cautioned in enlarged prostate and bladder outflow obstruction
What is the MHRA advise regarding Braltus tiotropium inhalation capsules?
Reports of patients who have inhaled a Braltus capsule from the mouthpiece into the back of the throat, resulting in coughing and risking aspiration or airway obstruction
What combination is in a Relvar Ellipta (92/22)?
ICS LAMA
Fluticasone and vilanterol
What combination is in a Seretide?
ICS LAMA
Fluticasone and salmeterol
What combination is in a Symbicort Turbohaler?
ICS LAMA
Budesonide and formoterol
What combination is in a Flutiform MDI?
ICS LAMA
Fluticasone and formoterol
What are the LABAs licensed in asthma?
Salmeterol
Formoterol
Indacaterol
Vilanterol
If a patient is on the following: SABA SAMA ICS LABA
And they are prescribed a LAMA, what medicine should be stopped?
Their SAMA