Name 2 major drugs.
BECLOMETASONE
Fluticasone
What kind of corticosteroid is beclomethasone and flucticasone?
Local corticosteroids (local glucocorticoids)
Corticosteroids that are administered topically, intraarticularly, as eye/ear drops, or are aerosolized and inhaled (inhaled corticosteroids)
Act primarily at the site administered; a fraction is systemically absorbed
Describe the uses.
Asthma (long-term prevention asthma)
COPD
Inflammatory conditions GIT (inflammatory bowel disease, eosinophilic gastroenteritis)
List contraindications.
Primary treatment of severe acute asthmatic attacks or status asthmaticus when intensive measures [ref] (e.g., oxygen, parenteral bronchodilators, IV corticosteroids) are required.
Known hypersensitivity to the drug or any ingredient in the formulation.
List common adverse effects.
Headache, pharyngitis, upper respiratory tract infection, rhinitis.
Specific drug interactions.
Describe the mechanism of action.
Potent glucocorticoid and minimal mineralocorticoid activity. At recommended dosages, provides less than normal physiologic amounts of glucocorticoid systemically.
Inhibits inflammatory cells and release of inflammatory mediators in the respiratory tract. Improves lung function (e.g., FEV1, morning peak expiratory flow). Principal sites of action are the bronchi and bronchioles.
May reduce the following: number of mediator cells (basophils, leukocytes, and mast cells) at the epithelial level, number of eosinophils, sensitivity of sensory nerves to mechanical stimuli, secretory response to cholinergic receptor stimulation, and fibroblast activity.
May inhibit capillary dilation and permeability, stabilize lysosomal membranes, and prevent subsequent release of proteolytic enzymes.
When are inhaled corticosteroids effective?
Inhaled corticosteroids do not take full effect until they have been used for approx. 1 week.
Last changed2 years ago
