Pharmacology of drugs used in

bronchial asthma & COPD

By

Prof. Hanan Hagar

 Disorders of Respiratory Function

Main disorders of the respiratory system are :

1. Bronchial asthma
2. Cough
3. Allergic rhinitis
4. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD, also called emphysema)
 Asthma

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of

bronchial airways that result in airway
obstruction in response to external stimuli
(as pollen grains, cold air and tobacco smoke).
Characters of airways in asthmatic patients :
Airway hyper-reactivity: abnormal sensitivity of
the airways to wide range of external stimuli.
Inflammation
Swelling
Thick mucus production.
Bronchospasm (constriction of the bronchial
muscles).
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Symptoms of asthma
Asthma produces recurrent episodic attack of
Acute bronchoconstriction
Shortness of breath
Chest tightness
Wheezing
Rapid respiration
Cough
Symptoms can happen each time the airways
are irritated by inhaled irritants or allergens.
Causes
Infection
Emotional conditions
Stress
Exercise
Pets
Seasonal changes
Some drugs as aspirin, bockers
Airways Innervations
Afferent nerves (sensory)
Irritant receptors in upper airways.
C-fiber receptors in lower airways.

Stimulated by :
Exogenous chemicals
Physical stimuli (cold air)
Endogenous inflammatory mediators
Efferent nerves (motor)
Parasympathetic supply
M3 receptors in smooth muscles and glands.

No sympathetic supply but B2 receptors in

smooth muscles and glands
Aims of anti asthmatic drugs:
To relieve acute episodic attacks of asthma
(bronchodilators, quick relief medications).

To reduce the frequency of attacks, and

nocturnal awakenings (anti-inflammatory
drugs, prophylactic or control therapy ).
 Anti asthmatic drugs
Bronchodilators Anti-inflammatory Agents
(Quick relief medications) (control medications or
prophylactic therapy)

treat acute episodic attack of reduce the frequency of attacks

asthma
Corticosteroids
Short acting 2-agonists
Mast cell stabilizers
Antimuscarinics Leukotrienes antagonists
Xanthine preparations Anti-IgE monoclonal antibody
Long acting 2-agonists
 Anti asthmatic drugs

Bronchodilators : (Quick relief medications)

are used to relieve acute attack of
bronchoconstriction

1. 2 - adrenoreceptor agonists
2. Antimuscarinics
3. Xanthine preparations
 Sympathomimetics
- adrenoceptor agonists
Mechanism of Action
direct 2 stimulation stimulate adenyl
cyclase Increase cAMP
bronchodilation
Inhibit mediators release from mast cells.
Increase mucus clearance by (increasing
ciliary activity).
Classification of agonists
Non selective agonists:
epinephrine - isoprenaline

Selective 2 agonists (Preferable).

Salbutamol (albuterol)
Terbutaline
Salmeterol
Formeterol
Non selective -agonists.
Epinephrine
Potent bronchodilator

rapid action (maximum effect within 15 min).

S.C. or by inhalation (aerosol or nebulizer).

Has short duration of action (60-90 min)

Drug of choice for acute anaphylaxis

(hypersensitivity reactions).
Nebulizer Inhaler
Disadvantages
Not effective orally.
Hyperglycemia
CVS side effects:
tachycardia, arrhythmia, hypertension
Skeletal muscle tremor
Not suitable for asthmatic patients with
hypertension or heart failure.
Contraindication:
CVS patients, diabetic patients
Selective 2 agonists
drugs of choice for acute attack of asthma
Are mainly given by inhalation (metered dose
inhaler or nebulizer).
Can be given orally, parenterally.
Short acting 2 agonists
e.g. salbutamol, terbutaline
Long acting 2 agonists
e.g. salmeterol, formeterol
Short acting 2 agonists
Salbutamol, inhalation, orally, i.v.
Terbutaline, inhalation, orally, s.c.
Have rapid onset of action (15-30 min).
short duration of action (4-6 hr)
used for symptomatic treatment of acute
episodic attack of asthma.
Long acting selective 2 agonists
Salmeterol & formoterol:
Long acting bronchodilators (12 hours)
have high lipid solubility (creates depot effect)
are given by inhalation
are not used to relieve acute episodes of asthma
used for nocturnal asthma (long acting
relievers).
combined with inhaled corticosteroids to
control asthma (decreases the number and
severity of asthma attacks).
Advantages of 2 agonists
Minimal CVS side effects
suitable for asthmatic patients with
hypertension or heart failure.

Disadvantages of 2 agonists
Skeletal muscle tremors.
Nervousness
Tolerance (B-receptors down regulation).
Tachycardia over dose (B1-stimulation).
 Muscarinic antagonists
Ipratropium Tiotropium
Act by blocking muscarinic receptors.
Given by aerosol inhalation
Quaternary derivatives of atropine
Does not diffuse into the blood
Do not enter CNS, minimal systemic side effects.
Delayed onset of action
Ipratropium has short duration of action 3-5 hr
Tiotropium has longer duration of action (24 h).
Pharmacodynamics
are short-acting bronchodilator.
Inhibit bronchoconstriction and mucus secretion
Less effective than 2-agonists.
No anti-inflammatory action
Uses
Main choice in chronic obstructive pulmonary
diseases (COPD).
In acute severe asthma combined with 2-
agonists & steroids.
Methylxanthines
Theophylline - aminophylline

Mechanism of Action
are phosphodiestrase inhibitors
cAMP bronchodilation
Adenosine receptors antagonists (A1)
Increase diaphragmatic contraction
Stabilization of mast cell membrane
 ATP
Bronchodilation Adenyl cyclase

B-agonists
cAMP

Bronchial tree Phosphodiesterase

Adenosine Theophylline

Bronchoconstriction 3,5,AMP
Pharmacological effects :
Bronchial muscle relaxation
contraction of diaphragm improve ventilation
CVS: heart rate, force of contraction
GIT: gastric acid secretions
Kidney: renal blood flow, weak diuretic action
CNS stimulation
* stimulant effect on respiratory center.
* decrease fatigue & elevate mood.
* overdose (tremors, nervousness, insomnia,
convulsion)
Pharmacokinetics
metabolized by Cyt P450 enzymes in liver
T = 8 hours
has many drug interactions
Enzyme inducers: as phenobarbitone-
rifampicin metabolism of theophylline
T .
Enzyme inhibitors: as erythromycin
metabolism of theophylline T .
Uses
Second line drug in asthma (theophylline)
For status asthmatics (aminophylline, is
given as slow infusion).

Side Effects
Low therapeutic index narrow safety margin
monitoring of theophylline blood level is
necessary.
CVS effects: hypotension, arrhythmia.
GIT effects: nausea & vomiting
CNS side effects: tremors, nervousness,
insomnia, convulsion
Anti - inflammatory agents include:

Glucocorticoids
Leukotrienes antagonists
Mast cell stabilizers
Anti-IgE monoclonal antibody (omalizumab)
Anti - inflammatory Agents:
(control medications / prophylactic therapy)
reduce the number of inflammatory cells in the
airways and prevent blood vessels from leaking
fluid into the airway tissues. By reducing
inflammation, they reduce the spasm of airways
& bronchial hyper-reactivity.
Glucocorticoids
Mechanism of action
Inhibition of phospholipase A2
prostaglandin and leukotrienes
Number of inflammatory cells in airways.
Mast cell stabilization histamine release.
capillary permeability and mucosal edema.
Inhibition of antigen-antibody reaction.
Upregulate 2 receptors (have additive effect to
B2 agonists).
Pharmacological actions of glucocorticoids
Anti-inflammatory actions
Immunosuppressant effects
Metabolic effects
Hyperglycemia
protein catabolism, protein anabolism
Stimulation of lipolysis - fat redistribution

Mineralocorticoid effects:
sodium/fluid retention
Increase potassium excretion (hypokalemia)
Increase blood volume (hypertension)
 Behavioral changes: depression
Bone loss (osteoporosis) due to
Inhibit bone formation
calcium absorption.
Routes of administration
Inhalation:
e.g. Budesonide & Fluticasone, beclometasone
Given by inhalation, given by metered-dose
inhaler
Have first pass metabolism
Best choice in asthma, less side effects
Orally: Prednisone, methyl prednisolone
Injection: Hydrocortisone, dexamethasone
Glucocorticoids in asthma
Are not bronchodilators
Reduce bronchial inflammation
Reduce bronchial hyper-reactivity to stimuli
Have delayed onset of action (effect usually
attained after 2-4 weeks).
Maximum action at 9-12 months.
Given as prophylactic medications, used alone or
combined with beta-agonists.
Effective in allergic, exercise, antigen and
irritant-induced asthma,
Systemic corticosteroids are reserved for:
Status asthmaticus (i.v.).

Inhaled steroids should be considered for adults,

children with any of the following features
using inhaled 2 agonists three times/week
symptomatic three times/ week or more;
or waking one night/week.
Clinical Uses of glucocorticoids
1. Treatment of inflammatory disorders (asthma,
rheumatoid arthritis).
2. Treatment of autoimmune disorders (ulcerative
colitis, psoriasis) and after organ or bone marrow
transplantation.
3. Antiemetics in cancer chemotherapy
Side effects due to systemic corticosteroids
Adrenal suppression
Growth retardation in children
Osteoporosis
Fluid retention, weight gain, hypertension
Hyperglycemia
Susceptibility to infections
Glaucoma
Cataract
Fat distribution, wasting of the muscles
Psychosis
Inhalation has very less side effects:
Oropharyngeal candidiasis (thrush).
Dysphonia (voice hoarseness).

Withdrawal
Abrupt stop of corticosteroids should be
avoided and dose should be tapered (adrenal
insufficiency syndrome).
 Mast cell stabilizers
e.g. Cromolyn (cromoglycate) - Nedocromil
act by stabilization of mast cell membrane.
given by inhalation (aerosol, microfine powder,
nebulizer).
Have poor oral absorption (10%)
Pharmacodynamics
are Not bronchodilators
Not effective in acute attack of asthma.
Prophylactic anti-inflammatory drug
Reduce bronchial hyper-reactivity.
Effective in exercise, antigen and irritant-induced
asthma.
Children respond better than adults
Uses
Prophylactic therapy in asthma especially in
children.
Allergic rhinitis.
Conjunctivitis.

Side effects
Bitter taste
minor upper respiratory tract irritation (burning
sensation, nasal congestion)
 Leukotrienes antagonists
Leukotrienes
produced by the action of 5-lipoxygenase on
arachidonic acid.
Synthesized by inflammatory cells found in the
airways (eosinophils, macrophages, mast cells).
Leukotriene B4: chemotaxis of neutrophils
Cysteinyl leukotrienes C4, D4 & E4:
bronchoconstriction
increase bronchial hyper-reactivity
mucosal edema, mucus hyper-secretion
Leukotriene receptor antagonists
e.g. zafirlukast, montelukast, pranlukast
are selective, reversible antagonists of cysteinyl
leukotriene receptors (CysLT1receptors).
Taken orally.
Are bronchodilators
Have anti-inflammatory action
Less effective than inhaled corticosteroids
Have glucocorticoids sparing effect (potentiate
corticosteroid actions).
Uses of leukotriene receptor antagonists
Are not effective to relieve acute attack of
asthma.
Prophylaxis of mild to moderate asthma.
Aspirin-induced asthma
Antigen and exercise-induced asthma
Can be combined with glucocorticoids (additive
effects, low dose of glucocorticoids can be
used).
Side effects:
Elevation of liver enzymes, headache, dyspepsia
Omalizumab
is a monoclonal antibody directed against
human IgE.
prevents IgE binding with its receptors on
mast cells & basophiles.
release of allergic mediators.
used for treatment of allergic asthma.
Expensive-not first line therapy.
 Drugs used in COPD

COPD is a chronic irreversible airflow

obstruction, lung damage and inflammation
of the air sacs (alveoli).
Smoking is a high risk factor
Treatment:
Inhaled bronchodilators
Inhaled glucocorticoids
Oxygen therapy
 Antibiotics specifically macrolides such
as azithromycin to reduce the number of
exacerbations.

Lung transplantation
 Treatment of COPD
Inhaled bronchodilators
Inhaled antimuscarinics (are superior to
2 agonists in COPD)
2 agonists
these drugs can be used either alone or
combined
salbutamol + ipratropium
salmeterol + Tiotropium (long acting-less
dose frequency).
Summary
 Bronchodilators (relievers for bronchospasm)
Drugs
B2 agonists Short acting Adenyl
Salbutamol, terbutaline main choice in acute cyclase
attack of asthma
Inhalation
cAMP
Salmeterol, formoterol Long acting, Prophylaxis
Nocturnal asthma
Antimuscarinics Main drugs For COPD Blocks M
Ipratropium (Short) Inhalation receprtors
Tiotropium (long) Inhalation
Xanthine derivatives Inhibits
Theophylline (orally) phosphodi
Aminophylline (parenterally) esterase
cAMP
 Anti-inflammatory drugs (prophylactic)
Corticosteroids
(Inhibits phospholipase A2) Inhalation
Dexamethasone, Fluticasone, budesonide
prednisolone Orally
Hydrocortisone parenterally
Mast stabilizers Inhalation,
Cromoglycate (Cromolyn), Nedocromil prophylaxis in
children
Cysteinyl antagonists (CyLT1 antagoist)
Zafirlukast orally

Omalizumab (Anti IgE antibody) Injection, SC