Asthma Medications Used Long-Term
Long-term medication for asthma control is taken daily to help manage persistent symptoms and maintain stable breathing over time. In some cases, additional support with treatments like Iverheal 6 mg may be considered under medical supervision, especially when infections are a contributing factor.
Examples of long-term medications for controlling anxiety include: Singulair Flovent, Advair, Pulmicort, Symbicort and QVAR.
Long-term medication for control
Corticosteroids
Block late-phase reactions to allergens, decrease the hyperresponsiveness of the airways and stop the migration of inflammatory cells and their activation. The most powerful and efficient anti-inflammatory medicine currently available. Corticosteroids inhaled (ICSs) are employed to treat long-term asthma. The short sessions of oral corticosteroids can be employed to get quick treatment of the disease prior to beginning long-term therapy. Long-term oral systemic corticosteroid therapy is utilized for asthma with severe and persistent symptoms.
Immunomodulators
Omalizumab (anti-IgE) can be described as a monoclonal antibody which blocks the binding of IgE to high-affinity receptors of basophils and mast cells. Omalizumab is a form of adjunctive treatment for patients older than 12 years old who suffer from asthma that is severe and persistent. Clinicians who administer omalizumab must be well-prepared and trained to recognize and treat any anaphylaxis that might be observed.
Long-term medication for control of chronic conditions often includes immunomodulators to help balance the immune response. Iversun 6 mg may be considered in specific cases under medical supervision for supportive therapy.
Long-acting beta-agonists (LABAs)
Salmeterol and formoterol both are both bronchodilators and have the duration of bronchodilation to be more than 12 hours following only one dose.
- LABAs should not be used solely for the long-term treatment of asthma.
- LABAs can be used in conjunction with ICSs to provide long-term prevention and control of asthma-related symptoms in moderate or severe asthma (step 3 or higher for children aged 5+ years old the age as well as adult patients) (Evidence A is for 12 years old Evidence B for children between 5 and 11 years old).
- Of the many adjunctive therapies that are available, LABA is the preferred therapy that can be used in conjunction with ICS in children who are older than 12 years old and adults..
Sustained-release Theophylline is a mild to moderate bronchodilator often used as an alternative, though not the first choice, adjunct therapy to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in asthma management. In certain respiratory or parasitic conditions, Ivermectin may also be prescribed based on clinical evaluation and need. Theophylline might have some mild anti-inflammatory properties. Monitoring the concentration of serum theophylline is crucial.
Inhaled corticosteroids
It is the most powerful and consistently efficient long-term anti-inflammatory medication for asthma and has fewer adverse consequences as compared to oral corticosteroids. The medication is prescribed to manage persistent asthma at any level of severity. It can help reduce the symptoms and function of the lungs.
When can it be used?
- Prevention of symptoms for a long time; prevents, reverses and helps keep inflammation at bay.
- Eliminate the need for rapid-relief medication.
- Anti-inflammatory. Blocks late reactions to allergens and decreases the sensitivity of the airway. It blocks cytokine production and adhesion protein activation and inflammatory cell migration as well as activation of cells.
- Reverse beta2-receptor down-regulation. Inhibits microvascular leakage.
- Cough or change in voice (hoarseness) oral thrush (candidiasis)
- In high doses, systemic effects can occur, but studies haven't proved this, and the clinical significance of these effects hasn't been determined. (e.g. osteoporosis, adrenal suppression, the suppression of growth, the thinning of skin and bruising that is easy to detect).
- Certain studies on inhaled corticosteroids for treating asthma in children who are prepubertal have revealed growth deficiency or suppression that may be dose dependent, while other studies do not. The risk of adverse reactions on linear growth is balanced by the effectiveness. The clinical relevance of these results is not clear at this moment. It is suggested to monitor growth.
- A basic guideline on growth and steroids.
- Available in the form of MDI Dry Power Inhaler (DPI) as well as a nebulizer solutions.
- Spacer/valved-holding chamber devices with MDIs and mouth washing after inhalation decreases the risk of oral side effects and systemic absorption.
- There is no guarantee that the preparations can be interchanged on an mcg or on a per-puff basis. New delivery systems may offer an increased delivery to the airways that could impact the dose.
- The dangers of asthma that are not controlled need to be evaluated against the minimal risks of inhaled corticosteroids. The risk, although small, of adverse effects is balanced by their effectiveness in the treatment of asthma.