Corticosteroids asthma prophylaxis

Salmeterol Selective B2 agonist Slow onset, primarily preventive action potentiates corticosteroid effects Asthma prophylaxis Aerosol inhalation duration 12-24 h Toxicity Tremor, tachycardia, overdose arrhythmias... 

Beclometasone is a corticosteroid. Corticosteroids are used as prophylaxis in patients with asthma and therefore have no use in an acute attack. Bronchodilators acting as relievers are indicated for an acute attack. In asthma, patients are advised first to administer the bronchodilator, which acts very fast and then apply the corticosteroid, which has anti-inflammatory properties. 

Beclomethasone dipropionate is a corticosteroid with mainly glucocorticoid activity that is started to exert a topical effect on the lungs, without significant systemic activity. It is used by inhalation, generally from a metered-dose aerosol, for the prophylaxis of asthma. Inhalation of nebulized beclomethasone dipropionate has also been used in the management of asthma in children. 

Other, recent additions to prophylaxis in asthma therapy include the leukotriene receptor antagonist montelukast. This drug is taken as a tablet and blocks the actions of cysteinyl leukotrienes in the airways. The latter are products of the lipoxygenase pathway which cause bronchoconstriction and inflammation. It is no more effective than standard corticosteroids in the prophylaxis of asthma, but there is some evidence that when given together with a steroid there maybe a beneficial additive effect. 

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