Basic Pharmacotherapy for Asthma

¹ The Division of Allergy-Immunology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago.

Pharmacotherapy is a very important aspect of the management of asthma. Other important aspects are avoidance of known triggers of asthma, such as allergens, and patient education. Pharmacotherapy of asthma should be directed at the underlying pathophysiologic condition and should be tailored to the disease severity. In particular, airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness of asthma are best treated with antiinflammatory drugs. Examples of such drugs include inhaled corticosteroids, oral corticosteroids, and cromolyn. Bronchospasm is another well-recognized aspect of asthma. Examples of medications that primarily act as bronchodilators are β-agonists and theophylline. While treatment of asthmatic patients cannot be reduced to a simple algorithm, a general approach adapted from the NHLBI Expert Panel Report is outlined for the management of mild and moderate asthma.