pharmacological treatment of asthma and COPD Flashcards
what are the features of asthma?
- airway narrowing (reversible)
- airway hyper responsiveness
- airway inflammation
what is the pathogenesis of asthma?
acute and chronic inflammatory responses in airway
what are the goals of treatment for asthma?
- no daytime systoms
- no time time waking
- no need for rescue medication
- no asthma attacks
- no limitations on activity
- normal lung function FEV1>1%)
- minimal side effects from medication
what are the routes of administration for treating asthma?
primarily inhaled
- directly delivered to the site of action
- rapid response
- allows smaller doses than systemic route
- reduces side effects
- efficacy. of route depends on type and severity of asthma
- oral and injectable treatment aswel.
what are the different types of inhaler device?
- MDI= metered dose inhaler
- breathe - acuated
- accuhaler = dry powder
- spacer/ aero chamber
what is the purpose of ‘spacers’?
- large particles of aerosol are deposited in the chamber before the patient inhales
what is good about ‘spacers’/ nebulisers?
people who take inhalers are more prone to getting a hoarse voice or oral thrush, so by taking their medication through a spacer they are less likely to develop these symptoms.
what are the downsides to nebulisers?
- they are not used as much because they need yearly maintenance
- people who have them in their house are less likely to call an ambulance when they are having an asthma attack which is bad.
- higher risk of side effects
describe nebuliser route?
- use O2, ultrasonic power or compressed air to break up the drug in solution into fine mist.
- uses a face mask/mouth piece
- gives a high dose of reliever quickly in acute severe asthma.
what are the 5 steps up and down of pharmacological treatment of asthma?
1) intermittent receiver therapy
2) regular preventer therapy
3) initial add on therapy
4) additional controller therapy
5) specialist therapies
what are the 5 main drugs used to treat and prevent asthma? (receivers and preventers)
1) beta-2 agonist = salbutamol (short acting)
2) glucocorticoids = beclometasone, budesonide
3) beta- 2 agonist = salmeterol (long acting)
4) cysteine leukotriene antagonist (LRTA) = montelukast
5) a) methylxanthines = theophylline
b) monoclonal antibodies = anti-IgE treatment = omalizumab
describe the mechanism of action of B2 agonist
(LABA and SABA)
what steps do these cover?
THESE WILL COVER STEPS 1 AND 2!!!!
- they stimulate bronchial smooth muscle B2 receptors, relax smooth muscle, dilate airways and reduce breathlessness (basically reduce symptoms)
- inhibit mediator release from mast cells and infiltrating leukocytes
- increase ciliary action of away epithelial cells, aiding in mucus clearance.
describe the difference ion duration of LABA and SABA?
SABA= fast acting last up to 5 hrs, used as required
LABA= given regularly (with inhaled steroid), lasts longer (up to 12 hrs, given to prevent bronchospasm in patients requiring long term therapy
what are the side effects of B2 agonists?
(you tend to only get side effects if its a high dose that is given orally or through IV)
- sympathomimetic effects (increase in heart rate, tremor etc)
- muscle pain/cramps
- electrolyte disturbances
- hyperglycaemia
- paradoxical bronchospasm
describe step 2?
what drug is given?
give INHALED CORTICOSTEROIDS
- this is regular preventer therapy
- acts as an anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive
- slow onset of action
- longer term it will effect the airways responsiveness to allergens and irritants
when will you add an inhaled corticosteroid?
- add if has symptoms of or using SABA more than 3 times a week
- if waking up in the middle of the night with wheeze
- ## is they have had an asthma attack in the last 2 years
describe the mechanism of action of inhaled corticosteroids?
- bind to glucocorticoid receptor, modify immune response
- inhibit formation of cytokines
- inhibit activation and recruitment to airways of inflammatory cells
- inhibits generation of inflammatory prostaglandins and leukotrienes, reducing coal oedema.
- DECREASE MUCOSAL INFLAMMATION, WIDENS AIRWAY AND REDUCES MUCUS SECRETION.