Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Beclomethasone is an inhaled synthetic
steroid used for treating asthma. The naturally-occurring steroid (cortisol or
hydrocortisone) is produced in the adrenal glands and has potent
anti-inflammatory actions. Some symptoms of asthma are caused by chronic
inflammation in the airways within the lungs. When used as an inhaler,
beclomethasone directly reaches the airways where it reduces inflammation.
Reduced inflammation in the airways improves breathing in patients with asthma.
Since very little inhaled beclomethasone is absorbed from the airways and into
the body, beclomethasone causes fewer side effects than oral steroids. The FDA
approved beclomethasone in May 1976.
PRESCRIPTION: Yes
GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes
PREPARATIONS: Inhaler: 40 and 80 mcg/spray
STORAGE: Beclomethasone should be kept at room temperature, 15-30 C
(59-86 F). Temperatures above 49 C (120 F) may cause the container to burst. The
container should never be thrown container into a fire or incinerator.
PRESCRIBED FOR: Beclomethasone is used for the control of asthma in
patients who require chronic treatment. It often is used in place of oral
steroids in order to avoid side effects that may be caused by oral steroids.
Beclomethasone is used to prevent attacks of asthma and not to treat acute
attacks of asthma since its effects are not immediate. It requires continuous
and prolonged use to be effective. Some benefit may be noted as soon as three
days after starting treatment, but optimal benefit usually is not seen for two
to three weeks.
DOSING: The recommended dose of beclomethasone for adults is 40 to 320
mcg twice daily. Children 5-11 years old are treated with 40 to 80 mcg twice
daily.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: There are no significant drug interactions
associated with inhaled beclomethasone.
PREGNANCY: There are no adequate studies of beclomethasone in
pregnant
women.
NURSING MOTHERS: It is not known whether beclomethasone is secreted in
breast milk. Other medications in this class of medications are secreted into
breast milk, but it is not known whether the small amounts that appear in milk
have an effect on the infant.
SIDE EFFECTS: Common side effects include headache, pharyngitis
(inflammation of the throat), nausea, and
cough. Mild cough or wheezing due to
chemical irritation may be minimized by using an inhaled bronchodilator, for
example, albuterol (Ventolin), prior to beclomethasone. Oral candidiasis or
thrush, a fungal infection of the mouth and throat, occurs more frequently with
higher doses. Hoarseness may occur due to chemical irritation. A spacer device
attached to the inhaler and washing the mouth with water following each use of
beclomethasone reduces the amount of beclomethasone in the mouth and throat,
reducing the risk of thrush and hoarseness.
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is a disorder that persistently obstructs bronchial airflow. COPD mainly involves three related conditions, chronic bronchitis, chronic asthma, and emphysema. Symptoms of COPD include chronic cough, shortness of breath, frequent respiratory infections, wheezing, morning headaches, and pulmonary hypertension. Treatment of COPD is focused on the related condition(s).
Asthma is a common disorder in which
chronic inflammation of the bronchial tubes (bronchi) makes them swell, narrowing the airways. Signs and symptoms include shortness of breath, chest tightness,
cough and wheezing.
Patients who have infrequent, mild bouts of asthma attacks may use over-the-counter (OTC) medications to treat their asthma symptoms. OTC asthma medicines are limited to epinephrine and ephedrine. These OTC drugs are best used with the guidance of a physician, as there may be side effects and the drugs may not be very effective.
Asthma, the main cause of chronic illness in children, has signs and symptoms in children that include frequent coughing spells, low energy while playing, complaints of chest "hurting," wheezing while breathing, shortness of breath, and feelings of tiredness. Treatment will involve a doctor creating an asthma action plan which will describe the use of asthma medications and when to seek emergency care for the child.
There are many unusual symptoms of asthma, including sighing, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, chronic cough, recurrent walking pneumonia, and rapid breathing. These symptoms may vary from individual to individual. These asthma complexities make it difficult to accurately diagnose and treat asthma.
There are two types of asthma medications: long-term control with anti-inflammatory drugs and quick relief from bronchodilators. Asthma medicines may be inhaled using a metered dose inhaler or nebulizer or they may be taken orally. People with high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid disease, or heart disease shouldn't take OTC drugs like Primatene Mist and Bronkaid.
The lungs are primarily responsible for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the air we breathe and the blood. Eliminating carbon dioxide from the blood is important, because as it builds up in the blood, headaches, drowsiness, coma, and eventually death may occur. The air we breathe in (inhalation) is warmed, humidified, and cleaned by the nose and the lungs.
Before we present the typical symptoms of asthma, we should dispel some
common myths about this condition. This is best achieved by conducting a short
true or false quiz.
T or F - Asthma is "all in the mind."
T or F - You will "grow out of it."
T or F - Asthma can be cured, so it is not serious and nobody dies from it.
T or F - You are likely to develop asthma if someone in your family has it.
T or F - You can "catch" asthma from someone else who has it.
T or F - Moving to a different location, such as the desert, can cure
asthma.
T or F - People with asthma should not exercise.
T or F - Asthma is best controlled when one has an asthma management plan designed by your doctor. This should include the medications used for quick relief as well as maintenance therapy.
T or F - Medications used to treat asthma are habit...
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