[Anti-asthma drugs]. 2001

P Devillier
Laboratoire de pharmacologie-toxicologie, Hôpital Maison Blanche, Centre hospitalier universitaire de Reims 51092 Reims. pdevillier@chu-reims.fr

With respect to their main mechanism of action, anti-asthma drugs are classified as bronchodilators or anti-inflammatory drugs. Inhaled beta 2-agonists are the most effective bronchodilators. The shorts acting beta 2-agonists are used for the relief of acute symptoms whereas long acting beta 2-agonists are used on a regular basis, concomitantly with inhaled corticoids, for long-term control of symptoms. The others bronchodilators (methylxanthines or anticholinergics) may be used in addition to the inhaled beta 2-agonists. The treatment of bronchial inflammation is required in mild to severe persistent asthma. Inhaled corticoids are the main anti-inflammatory drugs. They have a low risk of adverse events at usual dosages. Anti-leukotrienes belong to a new class of anti-inflammatory drugs represented by montelukast in France. This drug is orally administered, well tolerated and used in addition to inhaled corticoids. Cromones and ketotifen are used only in mild persistent asthma. Inhaled beta 2-agonists, anti-leukotrienes and cormones are also used for prevention of exercise-induced asthma.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007249 Inflammation A pathological process characterized by injury or destruction of tissues caused by a variety of cytologic and chemical reactions. It is usually manifested by typical signs of pain, heat, redness, swelling, and loss of function. Innate Inflammatory Response,Inflammations,Inflammatory Response, Innate,Innate Inflammatory Responses
D001993 Bronchodilator Agents Agents that cause an increase in the expansion of a bronchus or bronchial tubes. Bronchial-Dilating Agents,Bronchodilator,Bronchodilator Agent,Broncholytic Agent,Bronchodilator Effect,Bronchodilator Effects,Bronchodilators,Broncholytic Agents,Broncholytic Effect,Broncholytic Effects,Agent, Bronchodilator,Agent, Broncholytic,Agents, Bronchial-Dilating,Agents, Bronchodilator,Agents, Broncholytic,Bronchial Dilating Agents,Effect, Bronchodilator,Effect, Broncholytic,Effects, Bronchodilator,Effects, Broncholytic
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000280 Administration, Inhalation The administration of drugs by the respiratory route. It includes insufflation into the respiratory tract. Drug Administration, Inhalation,Drug Administration, Respiratory,Drug Aerosol Therapy,Inhalation Drug Administration,Inhalation of Drugs,Respiratory Drug Administration,Aerosol Drug Therapy,Aerosol Therapy, Drug,Drug Therapy, Aerosol,Inhalation Administration,Administration, Inhalation Drug,Administration, Respiratory Drug,Therapy, Aerosol Drug,Therapy, Drug Aerosol
D000893 Anti-Inflammatory Agents Substances that reduce or suppress INFLAMMATION. Anti-Inflammatory Agent,Antiinflammatory Agent,Agents, Anti-Inflammatory,Agents, Antiinflammatory,Anti-Inflammatories,Antiinflammatories,Antiinflammatory Agents,Agent, Anti-Inflammatory,Agent, Antiinflammatory,Agents, Anti Inflammatory,Anti Inflammatories,Anti Inflammatory Agent,Anti Inflammatory Agents
D001249 Asthma A form of bronchial disorder with three distinct components: airway hyper-responsiveness (RESPIRATORY HYPERSENSITIVITY), airway INFLAMMATION, and intermittent AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION. It is characterized by spasmodic contraction of airway smooth muscle, WHEEZING, and dyspnea (DYSPNEA, PAROXYSMAL). Asthma, Bronchial,Bronchial Asthma,Asthmas
D013256 Steroids A group of polycyclic compounds closely related biochemically to TERPENES. They include cholesterol, numerous hormones, precursors of certain vitamins, bile acids, alcohols (STEROLS), and certain natural drugs and poisons. Steroids have a common nucleus, a fused, reduced 17-carbon atom ring system, cyclopentanoperhydrophenanthrene. Most steroids also have two methyl groups and an aliphatic side-chain attached to the nucleus. (From Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, 11th ed) Steroid,Catatoxic Steroids,Steroids, Catatoxic
D020024 Leukotriene Antagonists A class of drugs designed to prevent leukotriene synthesis or activity by blocking binding at the receptor level. Leukotriene Antagonist,Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist,Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists,Antagonists, Leukotriene,Receptor Antagonists, Leukotriene,Antagonist, Leukotriene,Antagonist, Leukotriene Receptor,Antagonists, Leukotriene Receptor,Receptor Antagonist, Leukotriene

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