A review of standard pharmacological therapy for adult asthma - Steps 1 to 5

Patel, Mitesh Dilipkumar Kantilal; Shaw, Dominick E.

Abstract

The aim of pharmacological therapy for asthma is to improve symptoms and lung function and minimise the risk of asthma attacks. The intensity of treatment is based on the level of asthma control and the potential risk of future deterioration. In the British asthma guidelines, treatments are divided into Step One to Five, with each Step signifying a need for an increase in therapy in response to symptoms or to prevent exacerbations. Treatments comprise of inhaled or systemic medications. Inhaled therapy includes short-acting and long-acting medication to improve symptoms and inhaled corticosteroids which reduce airway inflammation. Systemic treatments include medications which act on specific biological pathways, such as the leukotriene or IgE pathways, or systemic corticosteroids. In choosing a particular therapy, treatment benefits are balanced by the potential risks of medication-related adverse effects. This review will provide a practical guide to the key pharmacological therapies for adult asthma at Steps One to Five based on British guidelines and consider future options for new treatments.

Citation

Patel, M. D. K., & Shaw, D. E. (2015). A review of standard pharmacological therapy for adult asthma - Steps 1 to 5. Chronic Respiratory Disease, 12(2), https://doi.org/10.1177/1479972315573529

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: May 1, 2015
• Deposit Date: Aug 12, 2015
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 12, 2015
• Journal: Chronic Respiratory Disease
• Print ISSN: 1479-9723
• Electronic ISSN: 1479-9723
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 12
• Issue: 2
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1479972315573529
• Keywords: Asthma, Beta-agonist, Inhaled corticosteroid, Pharmacological, Step
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/983928
• Publisher URL: http://crd.sagepub.com/content/12/2/165
• Additional Information: Mitesh Patel is funded by a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Clinical Lectureship. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS,the NIHR or the Department of Health.