Asthma Medications – Answers

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!