Definition
Pulmonary emphysema - or more simply emphysema - refers to a complex pathology of the lungs, responsible for a slow, progressive and inevitable respiratory difficulty, which tends to worsen over time. Emphysema involves a gradual reduction in lung volume, therefore the right supply of oxygen is denied: this triggers the respiratory deficit.
Causes
In the vast majority of cases, emphysema begins with chronic bronchitis: in this case, the disease takes the name of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The main cause underlying this complex pathological picture is undoubtedly smoking; to tobacco, other possible causal elements are associated, such as gas, advanced age, environmental pollution and genetic predisposition.
Symptoms
The intensity and violence with which the symptoms of emphysema manifest themselves essentially depend on the evolution of the disease and on the possibility - rather probable - of a possible association with chronic bronchitis. Emphysema causes fatigue, weight loss, dyspnea, loss of appetite, increased erythrocyte count, dry / catarrhal cough and wheezing.
Information on Emphysema - Drugs for the Treatment of Emphysema is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Emphysema - Drugs for the treatment of Emphysema.
drugs
Being closely related to COPD, emphysema can give fatal results; the main problem is that the first prodromes begin too late, when the disease is too advanced, leaving permanent damage.
Since smoking is the main cause of emphysema, it is clear that abstention from smoking is a fundamental rule to prevent the disease or at least to better face its healing, when it is already in place. There are no pharmacological treatments to cure emphysema definitively: in addition to prolonging the health of the lung and slowing down the degeneration of the disease, the main goal of treatment is to help the patient breathe better.
Bronchodilators : in the context of pulmonary emphysema, the use of these drugs has proved useful in lightening the symptoms of cough and combating breathing difficulties, although bronchodilators do not have any effect for complete healing.
- Formoterol (eg Oxis Turbohaler, Sinestic Mite, Symbicort Mite, Kurovent) is also available in combination with mometasone, in the form of inhaled capsules (1 inhalation of 12 mcg every 12 hours) or of inhaled solution (from 20 mcg to 2 ml per vial, to be inhaled using a special nebulizer, with mask)
- Teofillins (eg Aminomal Elisir, Diffumal, Respicur) theophylline is a xanthine drug used in therapy to reduce the broncho-constrictor stimulus that often accompanies emphysema. Theophylline is indicated for the treatment of bronchitis and emphysema associated with asthma: the drug should be taken at a loading dose of 5 mg / kg. Consult your doctor.
- Difylline: in general, the drug is available in association with Guaifenesina, a substance with antitussive-expectorant activity. The dosage and method of administration of the drug must be established by the doctor. However, the drug can be found in tablets-capsules (100-200 mg) or in solution (5-10 ml of active), to be taken orally, 3-4 times a day.
Inhaled steroids (eg sprays): used in therapy to alleviate shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. It is important to remember that steroid drugs should not be taken in excessive quantities, nor are they recommended for long periods, as they can increase the risk of hypertension, diabetes, weakened bones and cataracts. For example:
- Fluticasone (eg. Avamys, Alisade, Fluspiral, Nasofan) although widely used in rhinitis therapy, the drug is equally useful for lightening the typical symptoms of emphysema, thus helping the patient to breathe better. Patients previously treated with oral corticosteroids can take fluticasone at a dose of 880 mcg per day. Patients previously treated exclusively with bronchodilator drugs can take the drug at a dose of 100 mcg on the first day, progressively increasing the dose from day to day, up to a maximum of 500 mcg twice a day.
- Beclometasone (eg Rinoclenil, nasal Becotide) the drug, widely used in therapy against emphysema, should be taken by inhalation, at the dosage of 1-2 sprays (42-84 mcg) in each nostril, twice daily (168 -336 mg per day). The dosage just described refers to the spray drug, 0.042% solution.
Antibiotics : they are indicated for the treatment of emphysema if the disease is associated with pneumonia, acute bronchitis or other bacterial pathologies affecting the respiratory tract
- Amoxicillin (eg Augmentin, Klavux ): belonging to the class of penicillins; treatment with the drug should be continued for 7-10 days. The active ingredient should be taken at a dose of 500 mg three times a day (alternatively, take 875 mg of the drug twice a day). Indicated for the treatment of pulmonary emphysema associated with uncomplicated pneumonia.
- Clarithromycin (eg Biaxin, Macladin, Klacid, Soriclar, Veclam) take the drug at a dose of 250-500 mg every 12 hours (in the case of suspected infection with Haemophilus influenzae, take 500 mg of the drug). The therapy should be continued for 7-14 days in the case of pneumococcal pneumonia in the context of pulmonary emphysema, and for 14-21 days for infections of other nature.
- Tetracyclines (eg Tetrac C, Pensulvit, Ambramycin): it is recommended to take this antibiotic to treat bacterial chlamydial infection or Mycoplasma in the context of flu-associated emphysema; the indicative dosage is 500 mg every 6 hours for 10-21 days, depending on the nature of the infection.
- Azithromycin (eg Azithromycin, Zitrobiotic, Rezan, Azitrocin): the drug (class: macrolides) should be administered at a dose of 500 mg taken orally on the day the symptoms appear, followed by a dose of 250 mg once a day day for 2-5 days. The antibiotic must be taken when it comes to bacterial bronchitis associated with emphysema.
Smoking cessation drugs:
- Varenclina (eg Champix, 25-28-56 tablets) take 0.5 mg of active per os once a day in the first three days of smoking cessation treatment. From the 4th to the 7th day of therapy, increase the dose to 0.5 mg of active twice daily. From the eighth day on, take 1 mg of active twice a day.
- Bupropion hydrochloride (eg. Elontril, Wellbutrin, Zyban) start the treatment by taking 150 mg of active oral, once a day. Maintenance dose: the dosage can increase up to 300 mg per day (given in two divided doses during the day), not before three days after starting the therapy. For the purpose of healing emphysema, this drug has no direct effect; however, being a smoking cessation aid, taking this active ingredient is still useful for lightening pulmonary symptoms.
Parallel treatments for emphysema
- Oxygen supplementation is an essential practice for patients suffering from advanced emphysema: in fact, the severe form of the disease involves severe respiratory difficulties and oxygen deficiency in the blood; the use of an oxygen therapy - not to be performed exclusively in a hospital environment - guarantees immediate relief to the patient.
- In more severe cases, surgery may be a conceivable option: treatment involves a reduction in lung volume, in which the micro areas of damaged / necrotic lung are removed. Again, the patient will be able to breathe with less difficulty.
- Lung transplantation: represents the most desperate option, indicated for severe emphysema if the other forms of treatment - pharmacological and surgical - have not brought any effect.
