Asthma

[marina*]

Hello,

Can an allergic reaction to a medication trigger an asthma attack? Also,can prednisone,advair,albuterol and singulair be taken together safley?

Thanks
Marina*

[National Jewish]

In a person who has asthma, an allergic reaction to a medication can trigger an asthma attack.  The most likely group of medications to cause this problem is non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, like aspirin and ibuprofen.  In a person who does not have asthma, an allergic reaction to a medication will not cause that person to develop asthma.

Prednisone, Advair

[marina*]

Andy,

You only have to worry about it,if the person you are writing to is an English Teacher.


Thanks again for the info.

Marina*

[AndyRRT]

I'll be sure to check my spelling before I post as well....how embarassing!

-Andy

[Jane1]

Also,can prednisone,advair,albuterol and singulair be taken together safley?

I am not a respiratory nurse or a doctor, rather a patient, this is the information I know from being an Asthmatic for 16 years.
Presnisone - is a tablet form steriod and has many side affects when taken in longterm doses, most asthmatics are prescribed short term doses to cope with a bad attack so the affects are limited, advair is a comination inhaler, which includes albuterol, so while on this the doses of albuterol are taken only when necessary and singulair once deemed a breakthrough drug can have side affects also.  However the dosage of advair and albuterol should be dicussed with your Doctor, as advair is a preventative inhaler ( seretide where I'm from) it also has some of the albuterol ( ventolin where I'm from ) so this means it is doing a dual job to keep your lungs functioning.  

You should however discuss all this with your doctor and when your asthma improves they will probably consider tapering the Pred and continuing the advair and singulair - and using the albuterol when you need some short term relief. All drugs together for the short term pose no threat, but they are only recently researching the long-term use of steriod inhalers, so the jury is still out.  Best bet ask your respiratory nurse or Doc.

Regards
S.

[AndyRRT]

BTW, I am a Registered Respiratory Therapist at the MAssachusetts General Hsopital in Boston, MA

I came across this website and thought I'd help give my $.02 cents. All of you are asking terrific questions. Looking forward to contributing!

Andy

[marina*]

Hello,

Thanks for the info.
Does anyone know if an elevation in sed rate is associated with asthma?

Marina*

[AndyRRT]

Marina,

ABSOLUTELY YES!

Wheather you knew it or not, asthmatics actually have NORMAL lungs. They are simply "hyper sensitive" to debris, weather, activy, and allergens. They are also sensitive to the happenings of other body organs. If you are gaving an alergic reaction, thre is a release of histamines in the blood stream that could in effect trigger your lungs to swell (that tight feeling) and secreat secretions (where the wheeze comes from)


Andy, RRT, CPFT

[prncsleo]

Marina,
It is my understanding that an allergic reation can trigger an asthma attack.  My son is asthmatic and we have to be very careful of any allergies or he may end up hospitalized.  As far as the medications you mentioned,  I am on all of those plus combivent and have had no problems whatsoever.  I think you are safe there.  Hope this helps

Linda Baker

[prncsleo]

Thanks for all your help Andy.  Lots of questions here that need answers.  We can always use good respiratory therapists on huff-n-puff.net also.  Lots of knowledgeable people there but lots and lots of questions and postings.  Thanks again

Linda Baker