Rescue Inhalers: Additional Medications for Asthma Exacerbations

Question 1

What age groups can epinephrine be used for?

Answer 1

Children and adults

Question 2

How is epinephrine administered?

Answer 2

Subcutaneous injection

Question 3

Is epinephrine local or systemic?

Answer 3

Systemic

Question 4

What is epinephrine’s mechanism of action?

Answer 4

β₂ agonist

Question 5

Give two clinical pearls for epinephrine.

Answer 5

1. There is no proven advantage of systemic therapy over aerosol.
2. Epinephrine is indicated in addition to standard therapy for acute asthma associated with anaphylaxis and/or angioedema.

Question 6

How is terbutaline administered?

Answer 6

Subcutaneous injection

Question 7

Is terbutaline local or systemic?

Answer 7

Systemic

Question 8

What is terbutaline’s mechanism of action?

Answer 8

β₂ agonist

Question 9

What age groups can terbutaline be used for?

Answer 9

Children and adults

Question 10

Give one clinical pearl for terbutaline.

Answer 10

No proven advantage of systemic therapy over aerosol.

Question 11

How does magnesium sulfate work?

Answer 11

Relaxes smooth muscle through inhibition of calcium influx into smooth muscle cells.

Question 12

What dosage form is magnesium sulfate available in?

Answer 12

IV

Question 13

What age groups can magnesium sulfate be used for?

Answer 13

Children and adults

Question 14

What adverse effects are associated with magnesium sulfate IV?

Answer 14

• Flushing
• Hypotension
• Vasodilation

Question 15

What is magnesium sulfate contraindicated for?

Answer 15

• Heart block
• Caution in renal dysfunction

Question 16

Give one clinical pearl for magnesium sulfate IV.

Answer 16

Consider if patient remains in life-threatening exacerbation after 1 hour of therapy.