Respiratory Care Pharmacology - Unit 4 A&B

A stepwise treatment plan for asthma, escalating medication based on severity and symptom control.

Mild intermittent asthma, requiring only quick-relief medication as needed.

Mild persistent asthma, needing either inhaled steroids, cromolyn or leukotriene inhibitors and quick-relief medication as needed.

Moderate persistent asthma, requiring medium-dose inhaled steroids or low-dose inhaled steroids + long-acting bronchodilators, plus quick-relief medication as needed.

Severe persistent asthma, requiring high-dose inhaled steroids, long-acting bronchodilators, and oral steroids, plus quick-relief medication as needed.

Medications taken daily to prevent asthma symptoms and inflammation.

Medications used to immediately alleviate asthma symptoms during an attack.

Asthma triggered by external allergens.

Asthma triggered by internal factors within the body.

Pollen, dust mites, pet dander, mold, cockroach allergens.

Viral infections, stress, exercise, cold air, certain medications (like aspirin), smoke, strong emotions.

Chronic lung disease causing inflammation/muscle tightening in the airways, making breathing difficult.

Redness, swelling, heat, and pain.

Inhibits leukotrienes, potent stimulants of bronchoconstriction, mucus secretion and vasodilation, preventing asthma triggered by cold air, allergens, aspirin or exercise.

Possible headache, respiratory infections, and abdominal issues.

Improves morning peak flow, reduces night awakenings, and decreases bronchodilator use in asthma.

Blocks leukotriene's role in inflammation for asthma control.

Potential liver issues, headaches, pain, weakness, increased theophylline levels (adjust dose), and more clotting risk (may need anticoagulant).

Effective in preventing asthma from allergens, and cold air or aspirin. Improves FEV1(forced expiratory volume in one second)- potentially by 15-20%. Decreases reliance on bronchodilators and steroids.

Inhibits leukotriene formation. This directly blocks leukotrienes from contributing to inflammation, providing asthma relief.

Possible stomach pain, heartburn, tiredness, fever, stuffy nose, cough, flu-like symptoms, dizziness, headache, and rash.

Effective in chronic asthma, managing asthma attacks, and symptoms, useful in allergy seasons due to its influence on symptoms (both daytime & nighttime). It may encourage reduction in B-agonist, steroid usage.

Prophylactic management of asthma, exercise-induced asthma, allergic rhinitis, and systemic symptoms/conjunctivitis (diarrhea, headaches, nausea).

Prophylactic management of asthma, exercise-induced asthma, and allergies.

Chronic asthma, both allergy and non-allergy related symptoms, daytime and nighttime use.

Steroid drugs delivered as a mist to the lungs for treating respiratory conditions like asthma.

A steroid used for asthma, delivered via metered-dose inhaler (MDI).

A steroid; available as MDI (metered-dose inhaler) or DPI (dry powder inhaler) inhalers for asthma or COPD.

A steroid available in DPI (dry powder inhaler) and SVN (small volume nebulizer) forms for treating asthma.

A steroid delivered by MDI (metered-dose inhaler) for treating asthma.

Inhalers containing multiple drugs, often a steroid and a long-acting bronchodilator, for asthma treatment.

A medication that prevents inflammation, used for asthma and allergies, available in different forms.

Steroid drugs taken by mouth (orally).

The natural daily pattern of steroid hormone production in the body, peaking around 8 AM.

A response by the body to tissue injury or infection, involving swelling, redness and pain.

Airway inflammation is commonly caused by bronchitis or asthma.