Antiasthmatic Drugs
Definition
Antiasthmatic drugs are medicines that treat or prevent asthma attacks.
Purpose
For people with asthma, the simple act of breathing can be a struggle. Their airways become inflamed and blocked with mucus during asthma attacks, narrowing the opening through which air passes. This is not such a problem when the person breathes in, because the airways naturally expand when a person takes a breath. The real problem arises when the person with asthma tries to breathe out. The air cannot get out through the blocked airways, so it stays trapped in the lungs. With each new breath, the person can take in only a little more air, so breathing becomes shallow and takes more and more effort.
Asthma attacks can be caused by allergies to pollen, dust, pets or other things, but people without known allergies may also have asthma. Exercise, stress, intense emotions, exposure to cold, certain medicines and some medical conditions also can bring on attacks.
The two main approaches to dealing with asthma are avoiding substances and situations that trigger attacks and using medicines that treat or prevent the symptoms. With a combination of the two, most people with asthma can find relief and live normal lives.
Description
Three types of drugs are used in treating and preventing asthma attacks:
| Antiasthmatic Drugs | |
| Brand Name (Generic Name) | Possible Common Side Effects Include: |
| AeroBid (aerobid-m, nasalide) | Diarrhea, headache, nausea, sore throat |
| Alupent (metaproterenol sulfate) | Cough, increased blood pressure and heart rate, nausea, upset stomach |
| Atrovent (ipratropium bromide) | Blurred vision, dry mouth, rash, headache |
| Azmacort (triamcinolone acetonide) | Dry mouth, dry and irritated throat |
| Beclovent Inhalation Aerosol, Beconase | Dry mouth, fluid retention, rash, headache, nasal irritation and burning, watery eyes AQ Nasal Spray, Beconase Inhalation Aerosol (beclomethasone dipropionate) |
| Brethine (terbutaline sulate) | Difficulty in breathing, drowsiness, headache, increased heartbeat, vomiting |
| Decadron Tables (dexamethasone) | Blood clots, bruising, fluid retention, increased blood pressure, hives |
| Decadron Turbinaire/Respihaler | Headache, nausea, coughing, irritated throat (dexamethasone sodium phosphate) |
| Deltasone (orasone) | Changes in behavior, mood and personality, may cause depression, fluid retention, increased blood pressure |
| Intal (cromolyn sodium) | Nausea, coughing and sneezing, irritated throat |
| Medrol (methylprednisolone) | Bruising, cataracts, increased blood pressure, stomach ulcer, rash, vertigo |
| Pediapred (prednisolone sodium phosphate) | Loss of bone and muscle mass, dizziness, fluid retention, diabetes, peptic ulcer |
| Provential (albuterol sulfate) | Diarrhea, headache, heartburn, muscle cramps, nausea, ringing in the ears |
| Theo-Dur (theophylline) | Nausea, diarrhea, hair loss, decreased blood pressure, rash, sleepiness |
| Tilade (neodocromil sodium) | Chest pain, headache, nausea, sore throat |
- Bronchodilators relax the smooth muscles that line the airway. This makes the airways open wider, letting more air pass through them. These drugs are used mainly to relieve sudden asthma attacks or to prevent attacks that might come on after exercise. They may be taken by mouth, injected or inhaled.
- Corticosteroids block the inflammation that narrows the airways. Used regularly, these drugs will help prevent asthma attacks. Those attacks that do occur will be less severe. However, corticosteroids cannot stop an attack that is already underway. These drugs may be taken by mouth, injected or inhaled.
- Cromolyn also is taken regularly to prevent asthma attacks and may be used alone or with other asthma medicines. It cannot stop an attack that already has started. The drug works by preventing certain cells in the body from releasing substances that cause allergic reactions or asthma symptoms. One brand of this drug, Nasalcrom, comes in capsule and nasal spray forms and is used to treat hay fever and other allergies. The inhalation form of the drug, Intal, is used for asthma. It comes in aerosol canisters, in capsules that are inserted into an inhaler, and in liquid form that is used in a nebulizer.
