Asthma and COPD

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5 core treatments and 5 MORE treatments

5 Core Treatments

• Albuterol
  • Beta agonist
    • Bronchodilator
  • Core treatment for asthma
• Ipratropium
  • Anti-muscarinic
    • Relax muscles around the airways
  • Works synergistically with albuterol
• Steroids
  • Decrease inflammation in the airways
  • Prednisone (PO)
  • Methylprednisone (IV)
• BiPAP (COPD)
  • Decreases work of breathing
  • Decreases rates of intubation
  • Decreases mortality
• Antibiotics (COPD)
  • Infection common cause of inflammation

5 More Treatments

• Magnesium sulfate
• Ketamine
• Epinephrine (systemic beta agonist)
• Heliox
• LAST RESORT – Intubation
  • Decrease rate and volume
  • Increase expiratory time and inspiratory flow

Additional Reading

• Antibiotics in COPD (AAFP)
• The Crashing Asthmatic (REBEL EM)