Drugs for the Treatment of Asthma - Essay Example

"Drugs for the Treatment of Asthma" is a great example of a paper on drug therapy.
The patient under-diagnosis is suffering from exercise-induced asthma. The medication I have chosen is Inhaled corticosteroids. Based on this situation, I have selected the medication based on the history and research conducted by Koh et al. (2007). Inhaled corticosteroids have proven to be the best medication of choice if Short-acting beta2-adrenergic agonists, for instance, albuterol cannot work best. These drugs are anti-inflammatory and are aimed at controlling asthma; moreover, they have fewer side effects as compared to other classes when compared with other drugs taken orally; as the drug goes directly into the lungs. The pharmacodynamics action of this medicine includes high-glucocorticoid-receptor-binding affinity, long pulmonary residence time, small particle size, and the lipid conjugation (Suissa et al., 2000).

Question 2

Instructional points that can be used in educating the parent and patient include:

• Develop a plan and follow it.
• Take medications as prescribed and never skip taking even though the patient feels just fine.
• The medication must be taken as prescribed daily
• A plan for handling any attack must be followed
• Call the health care provider in case of any emergency

Question 3

Potential side effects and/or adverse drug reactions include mild cough and or wheezing because of chemical irritation (Buhl, 2006). These effects may be managed by using an inhaled bronchodilator, i.e. albuterol preceding the Inhaled corticosteroids. This means that the patient will add the administration of Inhaled corticosteroids and still continue to use albuterol. Other side effects include hoarseness and oral thrush. This can be managed by using a spacer device attached to the inhaler and rinsing the mouth after using the Inhaled corticosteroids. I expect the patient to be relieved of the asthma attacks. Worst-case scenarios include administering high doses of the drug, which may result in more absorption in the body, decreasing bone formation and breakdown. This makes the patient susceptible to fractures. If this occurs, I will want the patient to decrease the dosage and visit the nearest medical facility.

Question 4

No drug interactions have been described with this drug choice. 

Question 5

I prescribed a generic name, beclomethasone dipropionate inhaler. The brand name is Vanceril. I choose generic preparation as it is affordable.

Question 6

The cost of this medication (50mcg) is $36.80 generic is $52.17 and brand ($107.26). This medication does not fall in the category of the $4 list available at area stores. 

Question 7

The drug starts to show its efficacy effects after three days, but the complete benefit is seen after two to three weeks. I expect to see the patient after three weeks. A physical test will be necessary to determine if the medication has worked. This includes ears, throat, chest, and nose. Moreover, lung functions tests have to be done to determine if the lungs are well. They include spirometry, Methacholine (Provocholine) challenge, Exercise challenge, and allergy skin tests (Carlsen 2002).

Question 8

Should this option fail, the following drugs can be used: Leukotriene modifiers, i.e. Singulair, Theophylline, Long-acting beta-agonists, i.e. salmeterol, Combination inhalers, i.e. budesonide and formoterol. These drugs have a mechanism of action of opening the airways and controlling the symptoms.

Question 9

In the case of a pregnant patient, the drug falls under category C. This medication may be harmful to the foetus and should not be used and if necessary should be used as per the instructions and dosage gave (Spina, 2003).