SM 180a - Pulmonary Pharmacology Flashcards
Which LTRA (leukotrione antagonist) most commonly used as an add-on therapy for asthma?
Montelukast
What are the indications for inhaled beta-2 agonists?
- COPD
- LABA can be used as a first line controller, but usually LAMA is slightly preferred
- LABA would be the first thing added to LAMA if COPD is poorly controlled on LAMA alone
- Asthma
- LABA = add-on if poorly controlled on ICS
- SABA is a go-to during exacerbations
Are beta-blockers safe to use in patients with heart failure and COPD?
Yes!
But make sure to use a beta-1 selective beta blocker
The patient can still use their inhaled beta-2 agonist for COPD
What are the 3 pathophysiologic hallmarks of asthma?
- Airway hyperreactivity
- Airflow obstruction
- Mucus secretion
What are the possible advese effects of inhaled muscarinic receptor antagonists?
Which patients are most at risk for these adverse effects?
Possible effects
- Dry as a bone
- Dry mouth, urinary retention
- Red as a beet
- Hot as a desert
- Blind as a bat - dilated pupils
- Unilateral: most often seen if some of the medication leaks through a mask
- Mad as a hatter
Usually, there is little systemic toxicity because the inhaled agent is poorly absorbed. However, be aware of other anticholinergic agents the paient might be taking
What are the indications for PDE-4 inhibitors
- COPD
- Group 4 (late stage)
- Exacerbations and/or severe airflow obstruction despite LAMA, LABA, and ICS
- Used to decrease exacerbations, but nor mortality
- Need a productive cough, chronic bronchitis phenotype
- Group 4 (late stage)
What are the indications for inhaled corticosteroids?
- COPD
- Add ICS to LABA + LAMA for triple therapy in group D COPD if exacerbations persist on dual therapy
- Asthma
- ICS = first line controller
- Add LABA at step 2 if symptoms persist
- Increase ICS at subsequent steps if symptoms persist
What are the 3 pathophysiologic hallmarks of COPD?
- Fibrosis fo the small airways (bronchiolitis)
- Alveolar wall destruction (emphysema)
- Mucus hypersecretion
A 38 year old male with asthma presents to pulmonary clinic for evaluation. Despite use of inhaled mometasone at a low dose, he continues to experience frequent asthma symptoms including night-time awakenings and use of his albuterol inhaler several times per day for chest tightness and wheezing. He is a non-smoker and is careful to avoid known triggers for his asthma. He demonstrates good inhaler technique in clinic. Which of the following would be the preferred “step-up” in therapy for his asthma?
- Switch to a mometasone/formoterol combination inhaler
- Add tiotropium
- Add roflumilast
- Add montelukast
- Switch to high-dose mometsone inhaler
a. Switch to a mometasone/formoterol combination inhaler
This patient has persistent asthma symptoms despite the use of a low-dose inhaled corticosteroid. The preferred step-up therapy would be transition to an inhaled ICS/LABA combination
When is a LAMA used for asthma control
Hardly ever - it is a “salvage therapy”
What are the possible adverse effects of Roflumilast (PDE-4 inhibitor)
GI effects
Adverse effects are reversible and diminish with continued use
What are the possible adverse effects of inhaled corticosteroids?
- Thrush
- Patients should rinse their mouths after use
- Dysphonia
- Skin bruising
- Increased pneumonia insidence
ICS are ususally well-tolerated with minimal systemic side effects
Which muscarinic receptors do inhaled muscarinic receptor antagonists act on?
What is the effect?
M3 receptor
- Normally
- ACh binds to the M3 muscarinic receptor
- > increaed intracellular Ca2+
- > Bronchoconstriction
- Inhaled muscarinic receptor antagonists prevent ACh from binding to the M3 muscarinic receptor
- -> No rise in intracellular Ca2+
- -> No bronchoconstriction
- -> Bronchodilation
Describe the role of theophylline in asthma control
- Used to be a mainstay of therapy
- Nonselective PDE inhibitor and adenosine antagonist
- However, it has a narrow therapeutic window and requires monitoring
- Not commonly used anymore
- Occasional use in difficult to control asthma
When is LABA used for COPD control?
First line
(although LAMA is preferred)