The joint conventions of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, American Association of Immunologists, and Clinical Immunology Society, held in late February in San Francisco, brought much new information about the treatment of asthma in patients of all ages. Pharmacists serving home care and assisted living patients in particular should be aware of new ideas about this old disease. Details about the guidelines will also be available on computer disks.
Pharmacists have a role to play with respect to the new asthma drugs now reaching the market.
Panelist Harold Nelson, MD, of National Jewish in Denver, said pharmacists should vigilantly check for potential drug interactions, especially with the new leukotriene agents, and should reinforce or initiate education about proper use when patients pick up beta-agonist inhalers. Nelson noted that physicians are often unfamiliar with potential drug interactions with the new leukotrienes, zafirlukast and zileuton. For instance, the latter agent can raise theophylline levels. They specify which drugs should be used in each type of asthma. They emphasize regular use of inhaled corticosteroids and p.r.n. inhaled beta-2 agonists for exacerbations.