Asthma is Chronic Inflammation of airway that causes the airway to “overreact” when exposed to an airway irritants
1) Name the 3 ways that the airway “overreacts” during an asthma attack.
– Edema (swelling)
– Bronchial constriction
– Increased mucus production
2) Name the four categories of anti-inflammatory drugs, describing how each one works to improve asthma symptoms. Identify one common medication from each category.
– Anti-inflammatory drugs
• Corticosteroid: budesonide (Pulmicort)
– Reduces inflammation
• Mast Cell Stabilizers: cromolyn (Intal)
– Reduces inflammation
• Leukotriene Modifiers: montelukast (Singulair)
– Reduces inflammation
• Monoclonal Antibody to IgE: omalizumab (Xolair)
– Reduces inflammation
By the way, did you notice that the category of Asthma meds was anti-inflammatory? Do you see how knowing the drug category makes it much easier to figure out what a specific drug does?
3) Name the three types of bronchodilator drugs, describing how each one works to improve asthma symptoms. Identify one common medication from each category.
– Bronchodilators
• b2-Adrenergic Agonist: albuterol (Proventil)
– relaxes bronchi (bronchi dilation)
– Short-acting rescue drug of choice
• Methylxanthines: Methylxanthine (theophylline)
– relaxes bronchi (bronchi dilation)
– Not a first choice asthma medication
• Anticholinergic Drugs: ipratropium (Atrovent)
– relaxes bronchi (bronchi dilation)
– By the way, did you notice that the category of Asthma meds was bronchodilators? Again, knowing the drug category makes it much easier to figure out what a specific drug does!