The following are systems used for delivery of medications for (asthma attacks and maintenance of attacks) injections, nebulizers, spacers, spray inhalers and tablets.
Spray inhalers/spacers-a group of people from an agency called the Cochrane Airways Group conducted a study. They reviewed the clinical trials that compared the delivery of the same beta agonist used with nebulizers and also with inhalers. The study found 16 trials, these trials were relevant.
The total population of patients was 686 children (two years of age and up) and 375 adults. The assessment of the delivery method was by the number of hospital admissions. The length of the hospital stay in the ER was also measured. Pulse rates, respiratory rates, lung functions, tremors, blood gases were checked as well as the use of steroids. The results of the study concluded that the rates for hospital admissions were similar in the groups of patients that used nebulizers and inhalers. The outcome of the study showed that metered dose inhalers with spacers were equivalent with medication delivered with nebulizers.
Current delivery systems being utilized are the following: Aero Chamber, Optichamber, InspirEase, and MicroChamber. The Aerochamber delivers the medication to the recesses of your lungs where the restriction of the airways has occurred. The chamber allows the aerosol to slow down and can mix with the air. The size makes it more convenient for road trips and in the home. It can be washed and reused on a frequent basis. It's durable and lasts for a longtime.
The Optichamber is a new holding chamber. Through clinical trials it has proven to be effective in allowing the medication to be broken down into smaller particles. The medication therefore reaches down into the peripheral airways more efficiently. It has 3 different size masks to meet individual needs.
The Optihaler has been designed differently from other spacers. It makes this spacer unique. It allows the medication to actively mix with the air. The particles are directed away from the mouth therefore the particles mix with the air in several stages. As a result of this process the particles that are not useful are filtered out. An increase in the delivery of the drug successfully occurs. The Optihaler has caps for each opening; it keeps the device from becoming contaminated. The Optihaler has been rated by patients as the most convenient drug delivery system for asthma.
InspirEase is a metered dose inhaler. The difficulty with coordination especially among children is eliminated. The metered doses allow for more concentration from the patient to breathe in the medication more effectively. The medication goes directly to the lungs.
The Microchamber is also a metered dose inhaler. It functions the same way as the InspirEase inhaler. The difference in them is that the Microchamber is smaller. It's convenient to use and carry with you.
Pulmicort Respules (nebulized therapy) is an option for children 12 months to 8 years old. The nebulizer has advantages for children. The first being it does not require good coordination skills; the next is the convenience during an acute attack. Lastly it is easy to use when children are sick or sleeping. The Pulmicort Respules is delivered by a jet nebulizer. It utilizes air pressure to turn the medication into a mist. The mist is inhaled through a face mask or mouth piece. It is a corticosteroid inhaler. It has been approved for children as young as twelve months in the United States. This medication is not a quick relief medication; it can not be used solely alone during an asthma attack. This product is manufactured by AstraZeneca.
There has been a breakthrough in medications which treat allergy-related asthma. When dangerous substances are inhaled the airway passages tighten and become inflamed. The body reacts this way in order to prevent the substances from traveling too far into the lungs.
When someone has asthma the airways become too responsive to wrong things. Allergic related asthma can be caused by excessive responses to certain trigger make excessive antibodies (IgE) to dust, mold, and pollen. The extra antibodies IgE make people allergic to the triggers. IgE can recognize the triggers which begins the whole process of an asthma attack. The medications used for treatment only relieve symptoms or bring down the inflammation and tightening in the airway passages.
The new medication is targeted at stopping the asthma triggers before they can act as triggers. The new medication is called Xolair (omalizumab). Its development specifically targets the excess antibodies.