Page 168 - COMMUNITY PHARMACY PRACTICE

02/04/2024

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Antibiotics in asthma

• No evidence!!
• Green sputum is relatively common in asthma and is thought to

be due to eosinophils.
• in most cases does not signify the need for antibiotic therapy.
• Clinical trials in relatively healthy people with acute bronchitis

indicate that antibiotics do not help overall and the colour does
not predict a better response to antibiotic treatment.
• It may be more useful as a sign in people who have other lung
complications. E.g. In people with COPD, an exacerbation of
their condition with more purulent sputum (e.g. a change in
colour to green or yellow) may be a sign that antibiotics are
indicated.

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Pharmaceutical care plan

Care issues • Care plan
• Discuss with the patient the need for each medicine.
• Patient understanding of
medicines. Side effects and monitoring.
• Advise on how to administer the medicine.

• Use of medicine devices • Educate, monitor and assess the use of the inhalers.

• Educate the patient to watch for signs of

• Advise and monitor the patient if deterioration and advise when to refer.
• Routine asthma diary to record peak flows.
she suffers colds or chest
• Advise on management of acute exacerbations.
infection

• Lifestyle advice (such as allergen avoidance,

• Action plans .)coping with coughs, colds and hay fever

• Patient organisations • Discuss with the patient the availability of patient
support, including the Asthma Association.

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