PATIENT INFORMATION WHAT IS ASTHMA?

Patients can live normal, active lives and sleep

LEAFLET Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition. The
airways become narrowed and obstructed,
causing difficulty in breathing.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING AN ATTACK?
through the night without symptoms.
TYPES OF MEDICINES AVAILABLE
Medicines may be oral, inhaled or injected. They
can be divided into the relievers or controllers.

During an attack, the airway lining becomes Relievers are used as and when an attack
PHARMACY inflamed and swollen. The airway muscles
contract, and thick phlegm (mucus) is produced.
occurs.

Drug How it Examples Things to note

SYMPTOMS OF AN ATTACK class works
Short Opens Salbuta- Oral: May
The patient may cough, wheeze (breathe with a acting ß2 up the mol cause stomach
high pitched sound) and experience difficulty receptor airways discomfort;
breathing (shortness of breath). If untreated, a agonists take after food
ASTHMA severe attack can be fatal. Severity varies
amongst individuals.
Anticho-
linergics
Prevent
brocho-
Ipratro-
pium
May cause dry
mouth
spasm sensation
WHAT CAUSES ASTHMA? Cortico- Reduce Predniso- Oral: May
steroids swelling lone, cause stomach
Asthma can be caused by genetic or (oral or and hydro- discomfort;
environmental factors, i.e. it can be inherited. It injected) inflam- cortisone take after food.
is not contagious. mation Usually not for
long term use
Certain environmental triggers may cause an Methyl- Opens Aminophy May require
attack in genetically predisposed people, xanthines up the -lline monitoring of
including: animal dander (fur of pets), pollen, airways (injected) blood levels.
dust mites, insects or pests, respiratory
infections, air pollution, weather or temperature
changes, cigarette smoke, certain drugs e.g Controllers are used regularly to control the
NSAIDs (a group of anti-inflammatory medicines asthma even if no symptoms occur.
including aspirin), or beta blockers (a group of
medicines to lower blood pressure or heart rate). Drug How it Examples Things to note
Triggers vary amongst patients. class works
Cortico- Reduce Flutica- May cause sore
DOES ASTHMA AFFECT ONLY CHILDREN? steroids swelling sone, throat or
(inhaled) and beclome- hoarseness of
Asthma can affect both children and adults. inflam- thasone voice. To
Some children may grow out of it but for others, mation prevent this,
it can be a chronic condition. rinse mouth with
water after use.
WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT ASTHMA?

Asthma cannot be cured but it can be controlled.

 minute intervals for 1 hour. between 20 to 24. A score less than 20 implies
Drug class How it Examples Things to poor control. However, it is important to check
works note 3) Monitor response for 10-60 minutes. If with your doctor if there is a personalized target
Long acting Opens Salme- Not to be response is poor or a relapse occurs in for your condition.
ß2 receptor up the terol, used 1-4 hours, seek medical care
agonists airways formoterol alone. immediately for further treatment. PREVENTION OF ASTHMA ATTACKS
Usually
added on MONITORING OF ASTHMA CONDITION Asthma can be controlled and patients can live
to inhaled normal, active lives. Some tips include:
cortico- Your doctor can assess the asthma control by - Follow the asthma action plan that you
steroids. checking: have discussed with your doctor.
Methyl- Opens Theophy- May - Daytime symptoms - Take asthma medicines as prescribed.
xanthines up the lline, require - Limitation of activities - Identify your asthma triggers and find
airways syrup or monitoring - Nocturnal symptoms (symptoms at ways to avoid exposure to them.
slow of blood night) o For example, if the trigger for that
release levels. SR - Need for reliever or rescue treatment particular patient is dust mites, try to
(SR) tablets - Frequency of exacerbation or flares reduce dust mites by cleaning the
tablets can be cut house, vacuuming, reducing of or
- Lung function
available into half washing stuffed toys.
but should o One may consider using anti-dust mite
There are some standardized tests to assess
not be mattress covers or anti-dust mite
asthma control. One common example is the
crushed/ sprays.
Asthma Control Test (ACT).
chewed. - Track your asthma control and know
Leukotriene Reduce Montelu- Granules: what to do if the situation changes.
Asthma control test (ACT)
antagonists airway kast, store in - Proactively find out and read up more
inflam- tablets original about your condition and how to
mation and packet manage it. Take control of the condition.
granules and
References
available administer 1. GINA. Global Initiative for asthma. www.ginasthma.org
within 2. Medline Plus. U.S National Library of medicine.
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus
15min of 3. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHBI)
opening www.nhlbi.nih.gov
the pack. 4. Health Promotion Board. Diseases and conditions:
Asthma. Help your child take control. Jan 2010.
Mast cell Reduce Sodium May www.hpb.gov.sg
stabilizers airway cromo- cause 5. National Healthcare Group (NHG) Chronic Disease
Management: Asthma. www.nhg.com.sg
inflam- glycate headache 6. Ministry of Health (MOH) Clinical Practice Guidelines.
mation or runny Asthma 2008. www.moh.gov.sg
7. The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy.
nose. www.merckmanuals.com/professional/index.html
8. British National Formulary, Vol. 60.

WHAT TO DO DURING ACUTE ATTACKS
If there are signs of an asthma attack,
1) Stay calm, do not panic.
2) Use the reliever inhaler as directed by
the doctor if available. Repeat at 10-20
2002, by Quality Metric Incorporated. Asthma Control Test is a
trademark of Quality Metric Incorporated.
A maximum score of 25 indicates total control of
asthma. In general, control is good if the score is
Disclaimer
This information does not cover all possible uses, actions,
precautions, side effects or interactions of the medications used to
treat asthma. It should not replace the advice and guidance given to
you from your doctor or pharmacist. If you have questions about this
or other medications, please ask your doctor or pharmacist. Watsons
does not endorse any brand name or generic medication listed in this
pamphlet.
Jun 2011