Medication

The aim of a medication is to expand the bronchi and to prevent possible inflammatory damages. A medication is appropriate for both categories of asthma.

Two types of drugs are employed:

• Reliever, which are applied to relieve sudden attacks, and

• Controller, which are prescribed as a long-term medication in more severe cases.

The medication usually comes in form of an Inhaler; at an advanced stage of asthma the drug can also be administered intravenously or in form of tablets.

Expanding the bronchia:

1. Beta-2-Sympathikomimetika (short-term) for treating attacks (Fenoterol,Salbutamol)

2. Beta-2-Sympathikomimetika (long-term) as long-term medication (Formoterol, Salmeterol) Side-effects can be: anxiety, heart throbbing, increasing heart frequency.

3. Anticholinergika (Ipratropiumbromid) ADR: dry mouth, urinary retention, increasing heart frequency

4. Phosphodiesterase-Inhibitors: have an expanding effect on the bronchia, are however easy to overdose and should be treated as a reserve. (Theophyllin)

Anti-inflammatory drugs:

1. Glucucorticoide: lowers the inflammation rate and is therefore primarily used as long-term medication. (Budesonid, Beclometason inhalatif and Prednisolon, Prednison systemic).

2. Mastcellstabilisers: the mast cell opens during an allergic reaction and releases a load of inflammatory enhancing substances such as histamine. Mastcellstabilisers prevent this act. (Nedocromil,Cromoglicinsäure).

3. Leukotriene antagoniste: Leukotriene are inflammatory enhancing messengers. Leukotriene antagoniste act counteractive (Montelukast).