Drugs for Asthma

Most asthma medications work by relaxing spasms bronchodilating / bronchospasm (bronchodilators) or reducing inflammation (corticosteroids). In the treatment of asthma, inhaled medications are generally preferred over tablet or liquid drugs that are swallowed (oral medications). Inhaled medications act directly on the surface and airway muscles where the asthma problems began.Absorption of inhaled medications into the rest of the body is small. Therefore, side effects are fewer as compared with medicines taken orally (oral medications). Inhaled medications include beta-2 agonists, anticholinergics, corticosteroids, and cromolyn sodium. Oral medications include aminophylline, leukotriene antagonists, and corticosteroid tablets.

Historically, one of the first ynag drugs used for asthma was adrenaline (epinephrine). Adrenaline has a rapid initial actions in opening the airways (bronchodilation). He is still often used in emergency situations asthma.
Unfortunately, adrenaline has many side effects, including rapid heartbeat, headache, nausea, vomiting, restlessness, and a sense of panic.

Drugs that are chemically similar to adrenaline have been developed. These medications, called beta-2 agonists, have the bronchodilating benefits of adrenaline without many of the effects of unwanted side. Beta-2 agonists are inhaled bronchodilators which are called "agonists" because they promote the action of beta-2 receptor of bronchial wall muscle. This receptor acts to relax the muscular wall of the airways (bronchi), resulting in bronchodilation (bronchodilation). The bronchodilator action of beta-2 agonists starts within minutes after inhalation and lasts for approximately 4 hours. Examples of these medications include albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil), metaproterenol (Alupent), pirbuterol acetate (Maxair), and terbutaline sulfate (Brethaire).

A new group of beta-2 agonists that long work has been developed with an effect sustained duration of 12 hours. Inhaler inhalers can be used twice a day.Salmeterol xinafoate (Serevent) is an example of a group of these drugs. Beta-2 agonists that work is generally not used for long-attack acute attack. Beta-2 agonists can have side effects, such as fear, shaking (tremors), palpitasiatau rapid heartbeat, and a decrease in blood potassium

As with beta-2 agonists can enlarge the airways, beta blocker drugs block the relaxation of bronchial muscle by beta-2 receptors and can cause narrowing of airways, aggravating asthma. Therefore, beta blockers, such as blood pressure medications propanolol (Inderal) and atenolol (Tenormin), should be avoided by asthma patients if possible.

Anticholinergic agents act on type of nerves that is different from beta-2 agonists to achieve a relaxation and opening of the airway passages are similar. Both groups of bronchodilator inhalers when used together can produce an enhanced bronchodilation effect. An example of a commonly used anticholinergic agent isipratropium bromide (Atrovent). Ipratropium takes longer to work than the beta-2 agonists, with peak effectiveness occurred two hours after intake and lasted for six hours. Anticholinergic agents can also be a drug that is very helpful for patients with emphysema.

When symptoms of asthma are difficult to control with beta-2 agonists, inhaled corticosteroids (cortisone) are often added. Corticosteroids can improve lung function and reduce airway obstruction over time. Examples of inhaled corticosteroids include beclomethasone dipropionate (Beclovent, Beconase, Vancenase, and Vanceril), triamcinolone acetonide (Azmacort) and flunisolide (Aerobid). The ideal dose of corticosteroids is still unknown. Side effects of inhaled corticosteroids include voice hoarseness, voice loss, and oral yeast infections. Initial use of inhaled corticosteroids to prevent damage that can not be reversed in the airways.

Cromolyn sodium (Intal) prevents the release of certain chemicals in the lungs, such as histamine, which can cause asthma. Exactly how cromolyn works to prevent asthma needs further research. Cromolyn is not a corticosteroid and is usually not associated with side effects are significant. Cromolyn is useful in the prevention of asthma but have limited effectiveness once acute asthma began.Cromolyn can help prevent asthma triggered by exercise, cold air, and allergic substances, such as cat dander. Cromolyn may be used both in children and in adults.

Theophylline (Theodur, Theoair, Slo-bid, Uniphyl, Theo-24) and aminophyllineare examples of methylxanthines. Methylxanthines was administered orally (by mouth) or by injection through a vein (intravenously). Before the inhalers became popular, methylxanthines were the mainstay of asthma treatment. Caffeine that is in common coffee and soft drinks (soft drinks) is also a methylxanthine drug!Theophylline relaxes the muscles surrounding the air passages and prevents certain cells lining the bronchi (mast cells) from disposal of chemicals, like histamine, which can cause asthma. Theophylline may also work as a mild diuretic, causing increased urine expenditure. For asthma that is difficult to control, methylxanthines can still play an important role. Dosage levels of theophylline or aminophylline are closely monitored. Excessive levels can lead to nausea, vomiting, heart rhythm problems, and even heart attacks. In certain medical conditions, such as heart failure or cirrhosis, dosages of methylxanthines are lowered to prevent the blood levels are excessive. Drug interactions with other drugs, such as cimetidine (Tagamet), calcium channel blockers (Procardia), quinolones (Cipro), and allopurinol (Xyloprim) can further affect drug levels in the blood.

Corticosteroids are given orally (by mouth) for severe asthma unresponsive to other drugs. Unfortunately, high doses of corticosteroids for long periods of time can have side effects are serious, including osteoporosis, bone fractures, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, skin thinning and bruises, insomnia (sleeplessness), changes -changing emotions, and weight gain

Expectorants help thin mucus, the airways of mucus, making it easier to clear mucus in a way membatuk. Potassium iodide is generally not used and have side effects that have the potential for acne, increased salivation, hives, and thyroid problems. Guaifenesin (Entex , Humibid) can increase the production of fluid in the lungs and help thin the mucus-mucus, but also can be an airway irritant to some people.

In addition to bronchodilator medications for patients with atopic asthma (atopic asthma), avoiding allergens or other irritants can be very important. In patients who can not avoid the allergens, or a symptom-gejalabya can not be controlled by medications, allergy injections are considered. The benefits of allergy injections (desensitization) in the prevention of asthma is still not firmly established. Some doctors are still concerned about the risk of anaphylaxis, which occurs in one of 2 million doses given. Allergy shots are generally the most profitable of children who are allergic to the mite-mite (house dust mites). Other benefits can be seen in pollen-pollen and animal dander.

In some patients with asthma, avoidance of aspirin or other NSAIDs (commonly used in the treatment of inflammatory arthritis) is important. In other patients, adequate treatment of backflow of stomach acid (esophageal reflux) prevents irritation of the airways. Measures to prevent esophageal reflux include medications, weight loss, dietary changes, and quit smoking, coffee, and alcohol.Examples of drugs used to reduce reflux include omeprazole (Prilosec) andranitidine (Zantac). Patients with severe reflux problems causing problems of the lungs may require surgery to strengthen the esophageal sphincter to prevent acid reflux (fundoplication surgery). For further information please read the article on Gastroesophageal Reflux disease.

But the most effective asthma treatment is to discharge dirty blood, this is already evidenced by the many people with asthma, even dainatara they fully recovered and is rarely crowded again. Treatment ustadz Galina Gumelar indeed have proved to the people with asthma, that asthma could be cured Insha Allah.