Medications for Severe Persistent Asthma
Patients with severe persistent asthma are generally treated with a combination of medications, including long-term control medicines, such as an inhaled corticosteroid, that reduce inflammation of the airways to prevent asthma symptoms and attacks, long-acting bronchodilators and a quick-relief medicine, such as a short-acting beta agonist or bronchodilator. This additional medication is used (as needed) to relieve acute symptoms by relaxing tightened muscles around the airways. Severe persistent asthma may additionally be treated with anti-inflammatory medicines known as “leukotriene modifiers.” These are taken in pill form and are used in combination with the other medications.
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Sources:
The American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology Task Force. "Fact Sheet: Treating Asthma." The Allergy Report. AAAAI.org American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology. 12 Dec. 2007 <http://www.aaaai.org/patients/resources/fact_sheets/treating_asthma.pdf>.
"Anti-Inflammatories: Leukotriene Modifiers." Health.USNews.com 12 Dec. 2006. U.S. News & World Report. 12 Dec. 2007. <http://health.usnews.com/usnews/health/allergy/asthma/asthma.treat.meds.inf lammleuk.htm>.
"Asthma: Diagnosis." AllergyChannel.net 21 Nov. 2007. HealthCommunities.com, Inc. 12 Dec. 2007 <http://www.allergychannel.net/asthma/diagnosis.shtml>.
"How Is Asthma Diagnosed?" May 2006. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health. 12 Dec. 2007 <http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Asthma/Asthma_Diagnosis.html>.
Peters, Stephen, Jennifer McAllister, and Rodolfo Pascual. "Treatment of Moderate Persistent Asthma in Adolescents and Adults." Patients.UpToDate.com 18 Sept. 2007. UpToDate Patient Information. 12 Dec. 2007 <http://patients.uptodate.com/topic.asp?file=asthma/13610>.
