Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Asthma Info

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So many medications...

Asthma patients rarely take just one medication.
Some of the drugs taken by asthmatics include:

BRONCHODILATORS dilate the small airways to increase airflow. Long-acting bronchodilaors are given prophylactically to prevent asthma attacks, and may last up to 12-hours. Rapid-acting bronchodilators have effects that last 3-4 hours and are used to relieve a sudden attack. Rapid-acting bronchodilators may also be used as a preventative in some cases, as before exercising to prevent exercise induced asthma.

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY medications are used to prevent and/or relieve airway inflammation, thus reducing the patient's susceptibility to a sudden attack. Most of these medications are steroids, although there are some widely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications.

LEUKOTRIENE MODIFIERS are oral medications that interrupt the body's allergic response, thus preventing attacks in some patients. They are more effective in patients with allergies than in those with chemical sensitivity.

NEBULIZERS and NEBULIZED MEDICATIONS are used not only by EMS and medical facilities, but are not uncommon in home use. Basically the same medications as are supplied in inhalers, nebulization usually results in a more rapid response to the medications.

INJECTIBLE MEDICATIONS may be taken by severe asthmatics in extraordinary distress or in patients with extremely severe allergic reactions.

SPACER devices may be used by patients using a multi-dose inhaler (MDI) to mix the powdered medication with air more efficiently, resulting in more of the medication getting into the lungs rather than adhered to the tissues of the mouth. Infants and small children cannot use a MDI without a spacer device.

Often, asthma patients will track their respiratory efficiency using a Peak Flow Meter. The patient blows into the mouthpiece as hard as they can, usually 3 times, and records the highest reading of the three. Patients may adjust the dosage of their "Quiet Drugs" accordingly. DO NOT HAVE A PATIENT USE THEIR PEAK FLOW METER DURING AN ASTHMA ATTACK!

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