Symptom Finder - Treatment of Asthma
ASTHMA
1st Line:
1. Albuterol inhaler (Proventil): puffs 2 q2–4hrs PRN.
2. Ipratropium inhaler (Atrovent): Puffs 2 bid–tid.
3. Albuterol + Ipratropium (Combivent): puffs 2 qid.
2nd Line:
1. Above plus fluticasone (Flovent): puffs 2–4 bid.
2. Fluticasone propionate combined with salmeterol (Advair Diskus HFA): puffs 1–2 bid (metered dose inhaler).
3rd Line:
1. Prednisone 5–15 mg orally qod (consider referral to specialist at this point) or first 4 days of each week.
2. Theophylline (Theo 24): 100–400 mg q12hrs. Must monitor drug levels until minimum effective dose is established.
3. Cromolyn sodium (Intal): 20 mg as powder in capsule puffs 2 qid.
4. Loratadine (Claritin): 10 mg daily or other antihistamines.
1st Line:
1. Albuterol inhaler (Proventil): puffs 2 q2–4hrs PRN.
2. Ipratropium inhaler (Atrovent): Puffs 2 bid–tid.
3. Albuterol + Ipratropium (Combivent): puffs 2 qid.
2nd Line:
1. Above plus fluticasone (Flovent): puffs 2–4 bid.
2. Fluticasone propionate combined with salmeterol (Advair Diskus HFA): puffs 1–2 bid (metered dose inhaler).
3rd Line:
1. Prednisone 5–15 mg orally qod (consider referral to specialist at this point) or first 4 days of each week.
2. Theophylline (Theo 24): 100–400 mg q12hrs. Must monitor drug levels until minimum effective dose is established.
3. Cromolyn sodium (Intal): 20 mg as powder in capsule puffs 2 qid.
4. Loratadine (Claritin): 10 mg daily or other antihistamines.