Asthma drugs used

A broncho dilator is a drug used to relieve bron-chospasm associated with respiratory disorders, such as bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema These conditions are progressive disorders characterized by a decrease in die inspiratory and expiratory capacity of die lung. Collectively, tiiey are often referred to as COPD. The patient with COPD experiences dyspnea (difficulty breatiiing) with physical exertion, has difficulty inhaling and exhaling, and may exhibit a chronic cough. 

In patients with chronic asthma, question the patient concerning allergies, frequency of attacks, severity of attacks, factors that cause or relieve attacks, and any antiasthma drugs used currently or taken previously. 

Leukotriene modifiers either inhibit 5-lipoxygenase (zileuton) or competitively antagonize the effects of leukotriene D4 (montelukast and zafirlukast). These agents improve FEV, and decrease asthma symptoms, rescue drug use, and exacerbations due to asthma. Although these agents offer the convenience of oral therapy for asthma, they are significantly less effective than low doses of inhaled corticosteroids.2,33... 

Figure 13.4 presents the mass spectrum and distribution of the molecular ion of salbutamol (mass 240 u), the asthma drug, which is commercially produced as a coating on micron-sized sugar beads. For analysis a Bi3++ cluster gun was used. Before measurements the sample was sprayed onto a silicon substrate in order to disperse the beads [7],... 

Serafin WE. (1996). Drugs used in the treatment of asthma. In Goodman and Gilman s The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 9th ed. Hardman JG, Limbird LE, Molinoff PB, Ruddon RW, Goodman Gilman A, eds. New York McGraw-Hill. 

Acetazolamide is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor that reduces aqueous humour production and is therefore indicated in glaucoma to reduce the intraocular pressure. Salbutamol is a selective, short-acting beta2-agonist used as a bronchodilator in asthma. Tolbutamide is a short-acting sulphonylurea used in type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes mellitus. Chlorpromazine is an aliphatic neuroleptic antipsychotic drug used in schizophrenia. Zafirlukast is a leukotriene-receptor antagonist that is indicated in the prophylaxis of asthma but should not be used to relieve acute severe asthma. 

A number of medications useful in the treatment of asthma are neither strictly bronchodilators nor antiinflammatory agents. They are classified as alternative asthma therapies (Table 39.4). These drugs, used pro-phylactically to decrease the frequency and severity of asthma attacks, are not indicated for monotherapy. They are used along with adrenomimetic bronchodilators, corticosteroids, or both. 

L C. Inflammation of the airway is a hallmark of asthma. The use of antiinflammatory drugs, such as inhaled corticosteroids, is critical to the long-term control of asthma. No credible data indicate either that asthma is psychosomatic or that it develops in response to vaccinations against childhood diseases. Asthma is a disease limited to the airways. It does not involve the lung parenchyma. Although upper respiratory tract infections can exacerbate asthma symptoms, asthma is not caused by infection, nor is it communicable. 

Drugs Used in Asthma 458 Theodore J. Torphy and Douglas W. P Hay... 

The drugs used in management of bronchial asthma can be classified as in table 5.4.1. 

One of the most important uses of sympathomimetic drugs is in the therapy of bronchial asthma. This use is discussed in Chapter 20. Nonselective drugs (epinephrine), -selective agents (isoproterenol), and B2-selective agents (albuterol, metaproterenol, terbutaline) all are available for this indication. Sympathomimetics other than the 32-selective drugs are now rarely used because they are likely to have more adverse effects than the selective drugs. 

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