Bronchial Asthma Question And Answers

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Drugs And Cough And Bronchial Asthma Important Notes

1. Drugs used in bronchial asthma

  • Bronchodilators
    • Sympathomimetics
      • Selective β2 agonists
    • Short-acting – salbutamol, Terbutaline
    • Longer acting – salmeterol
      • Non-selective agents – adrenaline, aminophylline
    • Methylxanthines – Heophylline, aminophylline
    • Anticholinergics – ipratropium bromide, atropine
  • Anti-inflammatory
    • Systemic – glucocorticoids, hydrocortisone, prednisolone
    • Inhalational – beclomethasone, triamcinolone
  • Mast cell stabilizer – disodium cromoglycate
  • Leukotriene receptor antagonists – Montelukast
  • Anti – IgE antibody – Omalizumab

2. Drugs causing bronchospasm

  • ACE inhibitors
  • Aspirin and other NSAIDs
  • Beta-blockers
  • Cholinergic drugs
  • Bulk-forming laxatives
  • Quinine
  • Morphine

3. Ipratropium bromide

  • It is an anticholinergic drug
  • Produces slower response
  • Used for regular prophylactic use

4. Mechanism of adrenergic as a bronchodilator

  • Stimulation of β2 receptor
  • Increased cAMP formation in bronchi muscle cells
  • Relaxation of bronchi

5. Salbutamol

  • It is β2 receptor agonist
  • Safer than adrenaline and isoprenaline in the treatment of asthma
  • Uses
    • In acute exacerbation of asthma
    • COPD
    • For short-term relief of bronchoconstrictor

Drugs And Cough And Bronchial Asthma Short Essays

Question 1. Mention two drugs used to suppress dry cough
Answer:

Drugs Used To Suppress Dry Cough:

1. Pharyngeal demulcents

  • Lozenges
  • Cough drops
  • Glycerine

2. Expectorants

  • Bronchial secretion enhancers
    • Sodium or potassium citrate
    • Potassium iodide
    • Balsum of tolu
  • Mucolytic
    • Bromhexine
    • Acetylcysteine

3. Antitussives

  • Opioids
    • Codeine
    • Pholcodine
  • Non Opioids
    • Noscapine
    • Dextromethorphan
  • Antihistamines
    • Chlorpheniramine
    • Diphenhydramine
    • Promethazine

4. Adjuvant Antitussives

  • Bronchodilators- Salbutamol, terbutalin

Read And Learn More: Pharmacology Question and Answers

Drugs And Cough And Bronchial Asthma Bronchodilators - Salbutamol, Terbutalin

Question 2. Noscapine
Answer:

  • Noscapine is a natural opium alkaloid
  • It is a potent Antitussive
  • It is highly effective and safe
  • It may cause bronchoconstriction due to the release of histamine
  • It acts by inhibiting the cough center In the medulla

Noscapine Use:

  • Cough suppressant

Noscapine Adverse Effects:

  • Nausea
  • Headache

Noscapine Dose:

  • 15-30 mg 6 hourly

Question 3. Disodium cromoglycate
Answer:

  • Disodium cromoglycate is a synthetic derivative
  • It belongs to a group of antiasthmatic drugs
  • It is administered as an aerosol through metered dose inhaler

Disodium cromoglycate Mechanism of Action:

  • Inhibits degranulation of mast cells
  • Inhibits the release of inflammatory mediators
  • Inhibits the release of cytokines
  • Depresses neuronal reflexes

Disodium cromoglycate Adverse Effects:

  • Throat irritation
  • Cough
  • Rarely bronchospasm and allergic reactions

Disodium cromoglycate Uses:

1. Prophylactic in bronchial asthma

  • It is used for longer periods in mild to moderate asthma
  • 2 puffs, 3-4 times daily

2. Allergic rhinitis

  • Used as a nasal spray to produce symptomatic improvement

3. Allergic conjunctivitis

  • Used as eyedrops
  • 1-2 drops, 3-4 times daily

Question 4. Salbutamol
Answer:

  • Salbutamol is a sympathomimetic drug
  • It is fast acting bronchodilator
  • The onset of action-1-5 min
  • Duration of action- short

Salbutamol Actions:

  • Bronchodilator
  • Relaxation of the pregnant uterus
  • Dilatation of blood vessels supplying the skeletal muscles
  • Promote peptic glycogenolysis and uptake of potassium

Salbutamol Uses:

  • In bronchial asthma- 100-200 meg every 6 hours through metered dose inhaler
  • To delay premature labor
  • In hyperkalemia

Salbutamol Adverse Effects:

  • Tachycardia, palpitation
  • Muscle tremors
  • Tolerance
  • Restlessness, nervousness
  • Throat irritation
  • Ankle edema
  • Hyperglycaemia, hypokalaemia

Question 5. Pharmacotherapy of status asthmatics
Answer:

Treatment of status asthmaticus is as follows:

Drugs And Cough And Bronchial Asthma Pharmacotherapy Of Status Asthamaticus

Question 6. Mention three groups of drugs used in bronchial asthma with an example.
Answer:

Drugs Used in Bronchial Asthma:

Drugs And Cough And Bronchial Asthma Drugs Used In Bronchial Asthma

Question 7. Write the rationale for using any one drug for asthma.
Answer:

The Rationale of Using Sympathomimetic Drugs in Bronchial Asthma:

  • Sympathomimetic drugs like adrenaline have the following mechanism

Drugs And Cough And Bronchial Asthma Rationale Of Using Sympathomimentic Drugs In Bronchial Asthma

  • It has a rapid onset and a short duration of action
  • Hence it is used in acute asthmatic attacks as aerosol

Drugs And Cough And Bronchial Asthma Short Question And Answers

Question 1. Aminophylline
Answer:

  • Aminophylline is one of the methylxanthines

Aminophylline Mechanism of Action:

  • Enhances cAMP levels
  • Causes bronchodilatation
  • Inhibits the release of inflammatory mediators

Aminophylline Actions:

  • CNS stimulant
  • CVS stimulant
  • Relaxes smooth muscles
  • Mild diuretic
  • Enhances secretion of acid and pepsin in the stomach
  • Inhibits the release of inflammatory mediators

Aminophylline Uses:

  • Bronchial asthma and COPD
  • Apnea in the premature infant

Aminophylline Adverse Effects:

  • Dyspepsia, vomiting, nervousness, tremor, delirium, hypotension, arrhythmia, and convulsions

Question 2. Nasal decongestants.
Answer:

  • Nasal decongestants stimulate the alpha receptors and cause vasoconstriction in the nasal mucous membrane and relieve nasal congestion

Drugs Used As Nasal Decongestants:

  • Naphazoline
  • Pseudoephedrine
  • Phenylephrine
  • Imidazole

Nasal decongestants Use:

  • Allergic rhinitis
  • Common cold
  • Sinusitis

Nasal decongestants Adverse Effects:

  • Atrophic rhinitis
  • Anosmia
  • Local irritation

Question 3. The rationale for using Salbutamol in bronchial asthma
Answer:

  • Salbutamol is used in asthma to reduce cardiac side effects
  • Inhaled Salbutamol produces bronchodilatation within 5 min
  • Its action lasts for 2-4 hours
  • It is the most effective, convenient, and relatively safe
  • Hence it is used to terminate the attacks of asthma.

Question 4. Beclomethasone
Answer:

  • Beclomethasone is long acting glucocorticoid

Beclomethasone Mechanism of Action:

  • Suppresses inflammatory response to antigen-antibody reaction
  • Reduces mucosal edema and hyper irritability

Beclomethasone Uses:

  • Prophylactic use to prevent acute attacks of asthma
  • Prevent bronchial hypersensitivity
  • Controls the symptoms

Beclomethasone Available As:

  • Nasal spray- For allergic rhinitis
  • Ointment- For skin and mucous membrane

Beclomethasone Dose:

  • Beclate inhaler- 50,100,200 microgram
  • Metered dose-1-2 puffs 3-4 times a day

Beclomethasone Adverse Effects:

  • Hoarseness of voice
  • Sore throat
  • Oropharyngeal Candidiasis

Question 5. Ipratropium.
Answer:

  • It is a semi-synthetic anticholinergic drug
  • Given by inhalation

Ipratropium Uses:

  • Bronchial asthma
  • COPD
  • Inhaled ipratropium – used as a prophylactic agent
  • Nebulized ipratropium mixed with salbutamol – used in refractory asthma

Question 5. Name four bronchodilators.
Answer:

  • Sympathomimetics – adrenaline, isoprenaline, salbutamol
  • Methyl xanthine – theophylline, aminophylline
  • Anticholinergic – ipratropium bromide, tiotropium bromide

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