Therapeutics of asthma

Question 1

What is a SABA?

Answer 1

short-acting beta 2 androgenic receptor agonist

Question 2

what is an example of a SABA?

Answer 2

salbutamol

Question 3

how do SABA’s work?

Answer 3

Adrenaline works on the smooth muscles of the airways to cause relaxation, causing vasoldilation.

Question 4

what type of inhaler is a SABA

Answer 4

reliever or rescue

Question 5

how long do SABAs last?

Answer 5

effects only last for an hour or two

Question 6

what are ICS’s?

Answer 6

inhaled corticosteroids

Question 7

what is an example of a ICS?

Answer 7

beclometasone

Question 8

how do ICS’s work?

Answer 8

reduce the inflammation and reactivity of the airways

Question 9

what type of inhaler is an ICS referred to as

Answer 9

maintenance or preventer

Question 10

what is a LABA?

Answer 10

a long-acting beta 2 agonists

Question 11

what is an example of a LABA?

Answer 11

salmeterol

Question 12

what is the difference between a SABA and a LABA?

Answer 12

they are much longer lasting

Question 13

what is a LAMA?

Answer 13

a long-acting muscarinic antagonists

Question 14

what is an example of a LAMA?

Answer 14

tiotropium

Question 15

how do LAMA’s work?

Answer 15

Block acetylcholine receptors, which leads to bronchodilation.

Question 16

what is an example of a leukotriene receptor antagonist?

Answer 16

montelukast

Question 17

how do leukotriene receptor agonists work?

Answer 17

they block the effect of leukotrienes, so inhibit inflammation, bronchoconstriction and mucus secretion

Question 18

how does theophylline work?

Answer 18

relaxes bronchial smooth muscle and reducing inflammation

Question 19

what is a disadvantage to theophylline?

Answer 19

it only has a narrow therapeutic window and can be toxic in excess so monitoring plasma theophylline levels in the blood is required

Question 20

when is blood plasma levels monitored in asthma patients on theophylline?

Answer 20

5 days after starting treatment and 3 days after each dose change

Question 21

when is blood plasma levels monitored in asthma patients on theophylline?

Answer 21

5 days after starting treatment and 3 days after each dose change

Question 22

what is a MART?

Answer 22

maintenance and reliever therapy

Question 23

what does MART consist of?

Answer 23

combination inhaler containing a low-dose inhaled corticosteroid and a fast-acting LABA

Question 24

what is a MART used

Answer 24

both regularly as a preventer and also as a reliever when they have symptoms

Question 25

what is the first step in asthma therapy?

Answer 25

SABA

Question 26

what is the second step in asthma therapy?

Answer 26

ICS

Question 27

what is the third step in asthma therapy?

Answer 27

LABA

Question 28

what is the 4th step in asthma therapy?

Answer 28

trial of leukotriene receptor antagonist, an oral beta 2 agonist, oral theophylline or an inhaled LAMA

Question 29

what is the 5th step in asthma therapy?

Answer 29

titrate inhaled corticosteroid up to a “high dose” or combine the additional treatments from step 4 or refer to a specialist

Question 30

what is step 6?

Answer 30

add oral steroids at the lowest dose possible to achieve good control

Question 31

what additional management can people with asthma do?

Answer 31

have an individual asthma self-management programme, have a yearly flu jab, have a yearly asthma review, advise exercise and avoid smoking

Question 32

what is the colour of a SABA inhaler

Answer 32

blue

Question 33

what is the colour of an ICS inhaler

Answer 33

brown

Question 34

what is the colour of a LABA inhaler

Answer 34

green

Question 35

what is the colour of a LAMA inhaler

Answer 35

green

Question 36

what is the colour of a leukotriene inhaler?

Answer 36

red

Question 37

what is the colour of a theophylline inhaler?

Answer 37

grey