Health Conditions

What is on the horizon?

With understanding comes innovation. There is continuous research underway to develop new ways to effectively treat asthma. New knowledge about asthma has led to research into new drug treatments and new uses for existing medications. These include:

• Drug manufacturers already have realized that some people, such as children and older individuals, may not have the coordination necessary to squeeze an inhaler-type product while inhaling properly. Additional automatic delivery systems like the breath-actuated Maxair Autohaler have been introduced to make inhaled medications easier to use and provide consistent dosage.

• Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) is being studied for treating severe asthma. IVIG may reduce the need for high doses of steroids, which can decrease side effects.

• Several studies are investigating the effect that statins have on lung function and chronic asthma. Statins are a common class of drugs used to treat high cholesterol. However, it has been found that statins also have anti-inflammatory properties, which might make them beneficial in asthma, a disease marked by inflammation of the airways.