New medications for severe asthma
New classes of medications have been approved for dealing with more stubborn cases of severe asthma. These new medications being prescribed for severe asthma treatment include:
- Leukotriene modifiers
Leukotriene modifiers are new drugs [6] that block the action of leukotriene, a chemical that constricts the airways in an asthma attack triggered by allergens. The drugs are taken orally and may be used to treat or prevent asthma attacks.
Approved leukotriene modifiers for severe asthma treatment include montelukast, zafirlukast, and zileuton.
- Biologics
Biologics [7] are new treatments for asthma that work by altering how the immune system functions. They inhibit the activity of chemicals released by the immune system that inflame the airways. They reduce the frequency and severity of your asthma attacks.
There are currently four types of this medication currently used to treat severe asthma cases:
- Omalizumab (Xolair): These drugs are used to treat cases of severe asthma that are triggered by allergies (allergic asthma).
- Mepolizumab (Nucala): These are used to treat eosinophilic asthma, a severe type of asthma characterized by an increase in a type of white blood cell called eosinophils.
- Benralizumab (Fasenra): They are used to treat eosinophilic asthma.
- Reslizumab (Cinqair): They are also used to treat eosinophilic asthma.
These immunomodulators are administered intravenously every month. Doctors usually do not prescribe these drugs unless your asthma is unresponsive to other types of medications.
- Tiotropium (Spiriva)
Before being approved for asthma treatment, tiotropium was used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Research shows [8] that the drug helps improve asthma symptoms best when combined with high doses of inhaled corticosteroids and short-acting beta-antagonists. Tiotropium is an inhaled drug.