R Flashcards
Define asthma?
common chronic inflammatory condition of the airways
associated with airway hyperresponsiveness
and variable airflow obstruction
Airway hyperresponsiveness in asthma means that the airways are overly sensitive and can react strongly to triggers like allergens, irritants, or exercise. This exaggerated response can lead to symptoms like coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing
Variable airflow obstruction in asthma means that the airflow in the lungs can fluctuate, sometimes being normal but often becoming restricted or blocked. This occurs because the muscles around the airways tighten (bronchoconstriction), the airway walls become inflamed and swollen, and excess mucus is produced, making it harder to breathe. These changes can happen quickly and vary in severity, leading to symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness.
What are the stages of treating acute asthma:
Salbutamol given as soon as possible
For children with mild to moderate acute asthma, a pressurised metered-dose inhaler and spacer device is preferred
Patients/carers of children with acute asthma at home, should seek urgent medical attention if initial symptoms are not controlled with up to 10 puffs of salbutamol via a spacer
For children with acute severe or life-threatening symptoms, administration via an oxygen-driven nebuliser is recommended
In all cases of acute asthma, children should be prescribed an adequate dose of oral prednisolone; treatment for up-to 3 days is usually sufficient
State the stages of typical standard treatment of chronic asthma in adults:
SABA (salbutamol or terbutaline)
SABA + Low dose ICS (inhaled corticosteroids)
SABA + low dose ICS + Leukotriene receptor antagonist (montelukast)
SABA+ low dose ICS+ LABA ( salmeterol or formoterol), with or without LTRA
Low dose ICS plus a LABA within a MART regimen with or without LTRA
Consider moderate dose ICS plus a LABA either within a MART regimen or as a fixed dose (or change to SABA), with or without LTRA
Consider high dose ICS plus a LABA as fixed dose, with or without LTRA with a SABA
Consider continuing moderate dose ICS regimen with a trial of an additional drug i.e LAMA(tiotropium) or m/r theophylline with a SABA or low dose ICS plus a LABA within a MART regimen
step up every 4-8 weeks, if asthma still uncontrolled by then
State which monoclonal antibodies can be used in patients with severe asthma to achieve control and reduce the use of oral corticosteroids:
Omalizumab, mepolizumab, benralizumab, reslizumab, dupilumab
Or methotrexate
State the two SABAS:
Salbutamol
terbutaline
State the two-long acting SABAs:
Salmeterol
formoterol
Which other LABAs are used for COPD:
Indacaterol, olodaterol
Vilanterol is only available as a combination with fluticasone or/and umeclidinium
Which oral LABA can potentially be of use in nocturnal asthma:
Bambuterol
Which other antimuscarinic medication can be used to relieve symptoms in chronic asthma:
¡pratropium bromide
Which four drugs are licensed for COPD:
Aclidinium bromide
glycopyronium bromide
umeclidinium
tiotropium
What is Theophlline used for?
Theophylline belongs to a drug class known as xanthines
used in asthma and stable COPD
Combination with beta agonists may increase risk of side effects such as hypokalaemia
Theophylline helps with asthma by relaxing the muscles around the airways, which makes breathing easier. It also reduces inflammation in the lungs, which helps open up the air passages.
works by inhibiting an enzyme called phosphodiesterase, which leads to increased levels of a molecule called cyclic AMP (cAMP) inside cells. This increase in cAMP causes relaxation of the smooth muscles surrounding the airways, resulting in widening of the air passages and easier breathing.
What are the symptoms of COPD:
Breathlessness
cough
sputum
airflow obstruction
What can relieve symptoms of COPD?
SABA or short acting antimuscarinic bronchodilator
If the FEV1 is 50% or higher what would you advise:
LAMA or LABA
Forced expiratory volume (FEV1) calculates the amount of air that a person can force out of their lungs in 1 second.
If the FEV1 is less than 50%:
LABA or LAMA + corticosteroid in combination inhaler
If symptoms persist or if patient is unable to use an Inhaler oral m/r aminophylline or theophylline can be use
A mucolytic may be given to those with a productive cough
During an exacerbation of chronic COPD, bronchodilator therapy can be given through a nebuliser and oxygen can be given
Short course of prednisolone is recommended if affecting daily activities
If there is persistent exacerbations or breathlessness, then you can give this for COPD:
LAMA + LABA + inhaled corticosteroid in combination inhaler (such as trimbow)
What are the symptoms of croup?
Barking cough that sounds like a seal
Hoarse voice
Difficulty breathing
Feverish symptoms
Often worse at night
How to treat croup?
Single dose of dexamethasone
State the treatment of epiglottis (haemophilus influenzae)?
Cefotaxime or ceftriaxone
Chloramphenicol if history of immediate hypersensitivity reaction to penicllin or to cephalosporins
Epiglottitis is usually caused by an infection with Haemophilus influenzae type b(Hib) bacteria.
The epiglottis is a flap of tissue that sits beneath the tongue at the back of the throat.
Its main function is to close over the windpipe (trachea) while you’re eating to prevent food entering your airway.
Symptoms include:
a severe sore throat
difficulty and pain when swallowing
difficulty breathing, which may improve when leaning forwards
breathing that sounds abnormal and high-pitched (stridor)
a high temperature
irritability and restlessness
muffled or hoarse voice
drooling
What are the side effects of antimuscarinics?
Cough
dizziness
dry mouth
nausea
headache
constipation
arrythmias
vision blurred
urinary disorders
What is the caution warning for patients taking ipratropium bromide:
Acute angle-closure glaucoma has been reported with nebulised ipratropium
What are beta agonists contraindicated in:
Severe eclampsia
pulmonary hypertension
cardiac disease
Eclampsia is seizures that occur in pregnant people with preeclampsia.
Pulmonary hypertension is high blood pressure in the blood vessels that supply the lungs (pulmonary arteries).
cardiac disease: heart failure, arrhythmias, high BP, stroke, angina, atheresclorosis
State some cautions for beta agonists:
Diabetes (risk of hyperglycaemia and diabetic ketoacidosis)
hypertension
hyperthyroidism
hypokalaemia
State the side effects of beta agonists:
Headache
tremor
vomiting
palpitations
dizziness
hypokalaemia
What is the duration of action for salbutamol?
3 to 5 hours
How are corticosteroids effective in asthma?
They reduce airway inflammation and hence reduce edema and secretion of mucus into the airway
Regular use of inhaled corticosteroids reduces the risk of exacerbation of asthma
They must be used regularly for maximum benefit
State the 4 inhaled corticosteroids:
Fluticasone
mometasone
beclometasone
budesonide
Which 3 brands can be used as relievers, in addition to their regular use for prophylaxis of asthma:
Budesonide + formoterol (Symbicort, Duoresp spiromax)
Beclomethasone + formoterol (fostair)
State the treatment for acute asthma attack:
High course of prednisolone - corticosteroids
Why should oral corticosteroids best have taken as a single dose in morning:
Reduce the disturbance of circadian cortisol secretion
Which parenteral corticosteroid has a role in emergency treatment of acute severe asthma:
Hydrocortisone injection
What is the use of inhaled corticosteroids in COPD:
When given with LABA it can reduce exacerbations