Pharmacology: COPD Flashcards
What are 2 causes of COPD?
Smoking, air pollution
COPD involves an abnormal ___________ response of the lungs to noxious particles.
What happens to airway diameter?
Is it rapid or slow/progressive?
Is it reversible?
Inflammatory
Decreases
Slow and progressive
Not fully reversible
What are the two types of COPD?
Chronic bronchitis and emphysema
What is the initial symptom of COPD?
What are the later 2 symptoms?
Morning cough during winter
Progresses to chronic cough and breathlessness
Similarities to asthma
- What % overlap occurs between COPD and asthma?
- Are there also intermittent flare ups, which are often exacerbated by URTI’s?
20%
Yes
What are the first line medications for COPD?
Bronchodilators - SABA, LABA, SAMA, LAMA
What is the second line medication?
What are 2 drugs for acute exacerbations?
What is the long term treatment?
ICS
Oral corticosteroids, antibiotics
Long term oxygen
What are the risks and benefits for oral corticosteroids in treating COPD?
Benefit: decreased inflammation –> decreased COPD
Can increase risk of pneumonia –> exacerbate COPD
What are the two non pharmacological treatments of COPD?
Cease smoking
Keep up to date with immunisations
What are the risks and benefits for oral corticosteroids in treating COPD?
Benefit: decreased inflammation –> decreased COPD
Can increase risk of pneumonia –> exacerbate COPD
It is important to cease smoking as smoking the impairs the action of which drug type? What is the mechanism?
ICS’s
ICS’s recruit an enzyme called HDAC (histine deacetylase) which normally activates genes that switch off inflammatory gene transcription. Smoking inhibits the activity of this enzyme –> more inflammation.
Why is it important to keep up with immunisations
Reduces risk of infections/pneumonia –> lower risk of exacerbations
