Asthma about.

Asthma.

Blog For Free!

Archives
Home
2008 June
2008 February
2008 January

My Links
Drug store
US online pharmacy

tBlog
My Profile
Send tMail
My tFriends
My Images


Sponsored
Blog
Montelukast
06.13.08 (1:47 am)   [edit]
BRAND NAME: Singulair DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Montelukast is an oral leukotriene receptor antagonist for the treatment of asthma and seasonal allergic rhinitis (hay fever). Leukotrienes are a group of naturally occurring chemicals in the body that promote inflammation in asthma and seasonal allergic rhinitis and in other diseases in which inflammation is important (such as allergy). They are formed by cells, released, and then bound to other cells, and it is the binding to these other cells that stimulates the cells to promote inflammation. Montelukast works in a manner similar to zafirlukast (Accolate), blocking the binding of some leukotrienes. Unlike zafirlukast, montelukast does not inhibit CYP2C9 or CYP3A4, two enzymes in the liver that are important in breaking down and eliminating many drugs. Therefore, unlike zafirlukast, montelukast is not expected to affect the elimination of other drugs. The safety and effectiveness of montelukast has been demonstrated in children as young as 6 months of age. It was approved by the FDA in 1998. GENERIC AVAILABLE: no PRESCRIPTION: yes PREPARATIONS: Tablets: 10mg. Chewable tablets: 4mg and 5mg. STORAGE: Tablets should be stored at room temperature, 15-30°C (59-86°F). PRESCRIBED FOR: Montelukast is used for the treatment of asthma and seasonal allergic rhinitis. Montelukast begins working after 3 to 14 days of therapy. Therefore, it should not be used for the treatment of an acute asthmatic attack. DOSING: The recommended dose of montelukast is 4, 5, or 10 mg daily. The 4 and 5 mg tablets are used in children. Montelukast should be taken in the evening with or without food. DRUG INTERACTIONS: Phenobarbital increases the blood concentration of montelukast by about 40%. Rifampin may have the same effect. Therefore, the dose of montelukast may need to be reduced when given concurrently with these drugs. PREGNANCY: Montelukast crosses the placenta into the fetus following oral administration to animals, but there have been no adequate studies in pregnant women to determine the effects on the fetus. Physicians may prescribe zafirlukast during pregnancy if it is felt that its benefits outweigh the potential but unknown risks to the fetus. NURSING MOTHERS: Studies in animals have shown that montelukast is excreted in milk; however, it is not known if montelukast is secreted into breast milk in humans. SIDE EFFECTS: The most common side effects with montelukast are headache, dizziness, abdominal pain, sore throat, and rhinitis (inflammation of the inner lining of the nose). These side effects occur in 1 in 50 to 1 in 7 persons who take montelukast.
 
Budesonide
02.08.08 (1:57 am)   [edit]
BRAND NAME: Pulmicort Turbuhaler, Pulmicort Respules

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Budesonide is a man-made glucocorticoid steroid related to the naturally-occurring hormone, cortisol or hydrocortisone which is produced in the adrenal glands. It is used for treating asthma by inhalation. Glucocorticoid steroids such as cortisol or budesonide have potent anti-inflammatory actions that reduces inflammation and hyper-reactivity (spasm) of the airways caused by asthma. When used as an inhaler, the budesonide goes directly to the inner lining of the inflamed airways to exert its effects. Only 39% of an inhaled dose of budesonide is absorbed into the body, and the absorbed budesonide contributes little to the effects on the airways.

GENERIC AVAILABLE: no

PRESCRIPTION: yes

PREPARATIONS: Pulmicort Turbuhaler 200 mcg: each 200 mcg actuation delivers 160 mcg of budesonide. Pulmicort Respules, 0.25 mg/2ml or 0.5 mg/2ml suspension.

STORAGE: Budesonide should be stored at room temperature, 20-25 °C (68-77 °F).

PRESCRIBED FOR: The budesonide inhaler is used for the control of asthma in persons requiring continuous, prolonged treatment. Such patients may include those with frequent asthmatic episodes requiring bronchodilators, for example, albuterol (Ventolin) or those with asthmatic episodes at night.

DOSING: Budesonide is used to prevent asthmatic attacks and should not be used to treat an acute attack of asthma. The Turbuhaler is used for individuals six years of age or older. Effects can be seen within 24 hours, but maximum effects may not be seen for 1-2 weeks or longer. Doses vary widely. Adults usually receive 1-4 actuations (puffs) twice daily. Children usually receive 1-2 puffs twice daily. For those with mild asthma, treatment once daily may be sufficient.

Pulmicort Respules are used for individuals 12 months to eight years of age. Effects are seen in 2-8 days, but maximum effects may not be seen for up to 4-6 weeks. Pulmicort Respules are used with a jet nebulizer. They usually are taken as one or two doses for a total of 0.5-1 mg daily.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Ketoconazole increases the concentrations in blood of budesonide, and this may lead to an increase in the side effects of budesonide. No drug interactions have been described with inhaled budesonide.

PREGNANCY: When given orally to animals, glucocorticoid steroids similar to budesonide have been shown to cause fetal abnormalities. Studies of pregnant women using inhaled budesonide during early pregnancy, however, do not show an increase in the rate of fetal abnormalities. Nevertheless, since these studies cannot exclude the possibility of rare effects on the fetus, inhaled budesonide should be used with caution during pregnancy.

NURSING MOTHERS: It is not known if budesonide is secreted in breast milk. Other medications similar to budesonide are indeed secreted in breast milk. It is not known whether the small amounts that may appear in breast milk have effects on the infant.

SIDE EFFECTS: The most commonly noted side effects associated with inhaled budesonide are mild cough or wheezing; these effects may be minimized by using a bronchodilator inhaler, for example, albuterol (Ventolin) , prior to the budesonide. Oral candidiasis or thrush (a fungal infection of the throat) may occur in 1 in 25 persons who use budesonide without a spacer device on the inhaler. The risk is even higher with large doses but is less in children than in adults. Hoarseness or sore throat also may occur in 1 in 10 persons. Using a spacer device on the inhaler and washing one's mouth out with water following each use reduces the risk of both thrush and hoarseness. Less commonly, alterations in voice may occur.

High doses of inhaled glucocorticoid steroids may decrease the formation and increase the breakdown of bone leading to weakened bones and ultimately osteoporosis and fractures. High doses may suppress the body's ability to make its own natural glucocorticoid in the adrenal gland. It is possible that these effects are shared by budesonide. People with suppression of their adrenal glands (which can be tested for by the doctor) need increased amounts of glucocorticoid steroids orally or intravenously during periods of high physical stress, for example, during infections, to prevent serious illness and shock.
 
What Is Asthma?
01.25.08 (6:37 am)   [edit]
Asthma (Az-muh) is a chronic disease that affects your airways. The airways are the tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs. If you have asthma, the inside walls of your airways are inflamed (swollen). The inflammation (IN-fla-MAY-shun) makes the airways very sensitive, and they tend to react strongly to things that you are allergic to or find irritating. When the airways react, they get narrower, and less air flows through to your lung tissue. This causes symptoms like wheezing (a whistling sound when you breathe), coughing, chest tightness, and trouble breathing, especially at night and in the early morning.

Asthma cannot be cured, but most people with asthma can control it so that they have few and infrequent symptoms and can live active lives.

When your asthma symptoms become worse than usual, it is called an asthma episode or attack. During an asthma attack, muscles around the airways tighten up, making the airways narrower so less air flows through. Inflammation increases, and the airways become more swollen and even narrower. Cells in the airways may also make more mucus than usual. This extra mucus also narrows the airways. These changes make it harder to breathe.

Illustration showing anormal airway and an airway in a person with asthma.

Asthma attacks are not all the same—some are worse than others. In a severe asthma attack, the airways can close so much that not enough oxygen gets to vital organs. This condition is a medical emergency. People can die from severe asthma attacks.

So, if you have asthma, you should see your doctor regularly. You will need to learn what things cause your asthma symptoms and how to avoid them. Your doctor will also prescribe medicines to keep your asthma under control.

Taking care of your asthma is an important part of your life. Controlling it means working closely with your doctor to learn what to do, staying away from things that bother your airways, taking medicines as directed by your doctor, and monitoring your asthma so that you can respond quickly to signs of an attack. By controlling your asthma every day, you can prevent serious symptoms and take part in all activities.

If your asthma is not well controlled, you are likely to have symptoms that can make you miss school or work and keep you from doing things you enjoy. Asthma is one of the leading causes of children missing school.