Asthma Prophylaxis Drugs?

[Mellifera]

I'm not real sure when to give what... I know it's come up on some practice exams, but they don't make the answers available so I don't know what's correct. When do you give theophylline vs. salmeterol vs. ipratropium vs. cromolyn vs. corticosteroids vs. antileukotrienes? It seems that they will put multiple of these options in the answer choices. Also, in particular thinking about a case of someone who has cat allergies but is around cats alot... you would prophylax, right?

Thanks!

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[TerpMD]

Steroids are preferred. Theophylline has too many SE/toxicity risks. Cromalyn and LTs work to reduce inflm but aren't as good as steroids. Ipratropium and salmeterol can also be used for symptom prophylaxis but they won't do anything for the inflm in the airways, so you want a steroid for that. Steroids won't help you during an attack though- then you need albuterol.

I think I had that cat question somewhere too!