PMCOL 343- Asthma Exam Latest
Update
What is asthma characterized by - Answer Inflammation of the airways, bronchial hyper
reactivity, reversible airway obstruction
What is the immediate phase of asthma - Answer Bronchospasm; the initial response to
allergen, promoting the release of inflammatory mediators from mast cells and the
release of chemotaxins, which attract leukocytes to the site
What is the late phase of asthma - Answer Inflammation; inflammatory cells release
mediators that cause damage to epithelium
What are eosinophils - Answer Inflammatory cells (type of leukocyte)
What is the mechanism of action for beta agonists in treating asthma (3) - Answer Dilate
the bronchi, allowing for easier air passage, increase mucus clearance, as well as
inhibit mediators released from mast cells
What type of bronchodilators are salbutamol and terbutaline - Answer Short acting
beta-2 agonists (3-5 hrs)
What type of bronchodilators are salmeterol and formoterol - Answer Long acting beta-2
agonists (8-12 hrs)
What are the 3 main adverse effects of beta-2 agonists - Answer Tachycardia (B2 in
heart increase heart contraction), dysrhythmias, and tremors (B2 in skeletal muscle)
What is the mechanism of action for drugs theophylline / aminophylline - Answer
Methylxanthine based agent, inhibits phosphodiesterase
How would inhibiting PDE help asthma symptoms - Answer Decreases degradation of
cAMP, promoting higher PKA levels, reducing intracellular calcium levels, leading to
bronchodilation
What group of enzymes is responsible for metabolizing theophylline / aminophylline -
Answer CYP450 enzymes (drugs not prescribed for people on drugs that inhibit CYP450)
Describe the therapeutic window for theophylline / aminophylline - Answer Narrow
window of 30 - 100 microns, with adverse effects common in > 110 microns
What are 3 main adverse effects of using theophylline / aminophylline - Answer
Dysrhythmia (increased cAMP), seizures (CNS toxicity), and GI upset
What is the mechanism of action for the drugs montelukast / zarfirlukast - Answer
Update
What is asthma characterized by - Answer Inflammation of the airways, bronchial hyper
reactivity, reversible airway obstruction
What is the immediate phase of asthma - Answer Bronchospasm; the initial response to
allergen, promoting the release of inflammatory mediators from mast cells and the
release of chemotaxins, which attract leukocytes to the site
What is the late phase of asthma - Answer Inflammation; inflammatory cells release
mediators that cause damage to epithelium
What are eosinophils - Answer Inflammatory cells (type of leukocyte)
What is the mechanism of action for beta agonists in treating asthma (3) - Answer Dilate
the bronchi, allowing for easier air passage, increase mucus clearance, as well as
inhibit mediators released from mast cells
What type of bronchodilators are salbutamol and terbutaline - Answer Short acting
beta-2 agonists (3-5 hrs)
What type of bronchodilators are salmeterol and formoterol - Answer Long acting beta-2
agonists (8-12 hrs)
What are the 3 main adverse effects of beta-2 agonists - Answer Tachycardia (B2 in
heart increase heart contraction), dysrhythmias, and tremors (B2 in skeletal muscle)
What is the mechanism of action for drugs theophylline / aminophylline - Answer
Methylxanthine based agent, inhibits phosphodiesterase
How would inhibiting PDE help asthma symptoms - Answer Decreases degradation of
cAMP, promoting higher PKA levels, reducing intracellular calcium levels, leading to
bronchodilation
What group of enzymes is responsible for metabolizing theophylline / aminophylline -
Answer CYP450 enzymes (drugs not prescribed for people on drugs that inhibit CYP450)
Describe the therapeutic window for theophylline / aminophylline - Answer Narrow
window of 30 - 100 microns, with adverse effects common in > 110 microns
What are 3 main adverse effects of using theophylline / aminophylline - Answer
Dysrhythmia (increased cAMP), seizures (CNS toxicity), and GI upset
What is the mechanism of action for the drugs montelukast / zarfirlukast - Answer
