Scientists from Rutgers found that people who supplement rescue inhalers with a second asthma medication sometimes get little relief at first, but there’s good news:
Those who keep trying different options often find a medication that works.
The research is published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and was conducted by Reynold A. Panettieri Jr. et al.
In the study, the researchers analyzed data from 2,025 patients who used any of six FDA-approved severe asthma treatments known as “biologics” because they contain monoclonal antibodies found in living organisms.
Overall, the team found these injectable medications provided big relief.
Patients starting biologics during the study period experienced a 58% reduction in exacerbations, and 89% of those who used biologics at any point during the study period continued to do so at the end.
The team found some 324 patients switched medications at least once during the study period—most commonly because their symptoms worsened on the first medication or because initially strong effects waned over time—and their strategy was rewarded.
Switching medications was consistently associated with a reduction in exacerbations.
The team says that the available products aren’t all me-too drugs. They work in a variety of ways, so it makes sense that different medications would work for different people.
If you care about lung health, please read studies about marijuana’s effects on lung health, and why some non-smokers get lung disease and some heavy smokers do not.
For more information about lung health, please see recent studies about how to minimize lung damage in COVID patients, and results showing this existing drug can save damaged lungs in COVID-19.
Copyright © 2022 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
