Asthma Pharmacology

Asthma Pharmacology

beta agonists relax bronchiole smooth muscle

Summary of bronchiole tone

Side effects of beta-adrenoceptor agonists 

• Skeletal muscle tremor

• Cardiac tachycardia-tachyarrhythmias

• Modest prolongation of the QTc interval

• Tachyphylaxis

• Hypokalemia. 

• Nausea, vomiting, headache

Side effects of theophylline

• positive chronotropic and inotropic effect. 

• Mild cortical arousal. 

• Stimulates secretion of gastric acid and digestive enzymes.

• can cause hypokalemia, hyperglycemia, skeletal muscle tremors

• Can cause seizure- related to blood levels

• Can cause tachyarrhythmias

Side effects of glucocorticoids

• Linked to route and dosage

• Glucose intolerance, immunosuppression , bone demineralization, increase in weight, increased bp, decreased growth rate (children).

• Suppression of Adreno-pituitary axis (after 2 wks) with parenteral or oral. (use alternative day therapy)

• Throat thrush, oral hoarseness (inhaled preparations). can increase opportunistic infections

• daily therapy for mild persistent asthma or short, intermittent courses of inhaled or oral 

corticosteroids 

N Engl J Med. 2005 Apr 14;352(15):1519-28.