Pharmacology of obstructive airway diseases Flashcards
bronchospasm
reversible airflow obstruction due to constriction of bronchi
bronchial hyperresponsiveness
non-specific • histamine • metacholine/ carbachol • cold air • sulphur dioxide
specific
• adenosine (as AMP)
bronchial changes in mild asthma
- remodelling of bronchial tissues
goals of asthma therapy
Relief • Reverse bronchoconstriction • In severe attacks: • reduce mucus secretion • suppress airway oedema
Prevention • Inhibit bronchoconstriction • Suppress chronic inflammation • Inhibit airway remodelling
COPD
Disease of smokers
• Impairment of normal lung defences against infection-> recurrent infections of airways (bronchitis) and alveoli (pneumonia)
• Inflammatory reaction -> tissue destruction (emphysema)
goals of COPD
Relief
• Increase airway patency
• Control recurrent infections
Prophylaxis
• Suppress chronic inflammation
• Control mucus secretion
drug treatment of asthma
Relievers
• Bronchodilators
– B2-adrenoceptor agonists
– Muscarinic receptor antagonists
Preventers • Long-acting bronchodilators • Methylxanthines • Cromones • Glucocorticoids (inhaled/oral) • Leukotriene receptor antagonists
Extremely potent class of drugs
• Glucocorticoids
Bronchodilators
• b2-adrenoceptor agonists
– Salbutamol, terbutaline
• Mechanism of action
– Relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle
– Predominantly cyclic AMP mediated
– Some cAMP-independent actions on ion channels (KCa channels)
– Stimulus-independent
Treatment of COPD
• Smoking cessation • Vaccination – Streptococcus pneumoniae – Influenza virus • Anti-bacterial drugs • Oxygen • Ventilatory support • Pulmonary rehabilitation
Drugs
• Bronchodilators
– Less effective than in asthma
– Anti-muscarinic often preferred
– Long-acting anti-muscarinics (e.g.tiotropium) often used
– Theophylline frequent second-line choice
• Glucocorticoids
– Can have some benefit in acute exacerbations
Drug treatment of chronic asthma
Mild intermittent
• Inhaled B2-agonist prn
• Inhaled ipratropium + oral theophylline if necessary
Mild persistent • As above plus: • Adults: inhaled steroid • Children: inhaled cromone • May try CysLT1 antagonist
Moderate persistent
• Bronchodilator + inhaled steroid plus:
• Long-acting B2-agonist and/or increased dose of steroid
• If necessary, add CysLT1 antagonist or theophylline or oral B2-agonist
Severe
• Add oral prednisolone
Bronchodilators
• b2-adrenoceptor agonists
– Salbutamol, terbutaline
• Pharmacokinetics
– Active p.o., i.v. or by inhalation
– Inhalation allows rapid action and minimizes adverse effects
– Onset within 5 min
– Duration up to 6 h (not taken up or metabolized at synapse)
– Metabolized in liver (sulphate conjugation)
– t½ = 4 h (oral)
– Excreted in urine unchanged or as sulphate conjugate
Bronchodilators
• b2-adrenoceptor agonists
– Salbutamol, terbutaline
•interactions
– B-adrenoceptor antagonists inhibit actions
– Methylxanthines enhance actions
Bronchodilators
• b2-adrenoceptor agonists
– Salbutamol, terbutaline
•Adverse actions
– Tremor
– Tachycardia/dysrhythmia (systemic B1 and B2)
– Tolerance may occur to therapeutic actions and tremor
-Salbutamol has ‘off-target’ effects at B1 receptors in the heart. Also, B2 receptors mediate dilation of blood vessels supplying heart & skeletal muscle
Drop in systemic blood pressure leads to reflex tachycardia
Drug treatment of asthma-
Bronchodilators
• LABA – Salmeterol, formoterol
- Mechanism of action
- Pharmacokinetics
• Mechanism of action – Same as salbutamol • Pharmacokinetics – Duration of action 8-12 h – Administered twice daily – Avoid “morning dip”
Drug treatment of asthma Bronchodilators • Muscarinic antagonists – Ipratropium • Mechanism of action
– Relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle
– Inhibition of bronchial mucus secretion
– Antagonism of bronchial muscarinic receptors
– Specific to parasympathetic bronchoconstriction