Chronic Asthma Management

Traditionally, asthma has been treated with oral and inhaled bronchodilators, which help control the symptoms of asthma but do nothing for the inflammation. Now, the focus is on prevention, which involves treating the underlying inflammation as well as the bronchoconstriction, and constantly monitoring breathing efficacy. It is essential that asthmatic patients understand how to manage drug therapy and side effects, monitor breathing efficiency, and deal with environmental factors that contribute to bronchoconstriction (irritants, allergens, exercise, cold air inhalation, and infection).

Accolate (zafirkulast)

Accolate is a nonsteroidal tablet for the prevention and continuous treatment of asthma in adults and children 5 years of age and older, available only by prescription. Accolate is not for use in the reversal of acute asthma attacks. Accolate bottle Much like a rocket has two stages, to reach its destination, Accolate(R) (zafirkulast) has twice-daily dosing, providing 24-hour leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA) coverage to help prevent asthma breakthrough.

Montelukast Sodium

Suspected adverse effects reported to the UK CSM after the launch of montelukast included oedema, agitation and restlessness, allergy (including anaphylaxis, angioedema, and urticaria), chest pain, tremor, dry mouth, vertigo, and arthralgia. Further suspected adverse effects included nightmares, sedation, palpitations, and increased sweating.

Oxitropium Bromide

Very soluble in water sparingly soluble in alcohol freely soluble in methyl alcohol practically insoluble in dichloromethane. Oxitropium bromide is a quaternary ammonium antimuscarinic with actions similar to those of ipratropium bromide, to which it is structurally related. It is used as a bronchodilator in the treatment of reversible airways obstruction, as in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Omalizumab

Injection site reactions are common with the use of omalizumab. Other adverse effects that have been reported include generalised pain, fatigue, arthralgia, dizziness, earache, gastrointestinal disturbances, headache, and alopecia. An increased incidence of parasitic infection has been reported in patients at high risk for helminthic infections.