IMPORTANT: This app is intended for use by qualified healthcare professionals only
IMPORTANT: This app is intended for use by qualified healthcare professionals only. Always seek the advice of a qualified clinician before making any medical or prescribing decisions.
Asthma & COPD Drug Ref is a comprehensive evidence-based respiratory pharmacology reference for doctors, nurses, pharmacists and respiratory specialist nurses. Built for the clinic, ward and emergency department.
DRUG CLASSES REFERENCE
Complete inhaled and oral drug reference across 6 classes:
- SABA: salbutamol, terbutaline — doses, acute and routine use
- LABA: salmeterol, formoterol, indacaterol, vilanterol, olodaterol
- LAMA: tiotropium, umeclidinium, glycopyrronium, aclidinium, ipratropium
- ICS: beclometasone, budesonide, fluticasone propionate and furoate, ciclesonide
- Combination inhalers: ICS/LABA, LABA/LAMA, and triple therapy (ICS/LABA/LAMA)
- Other agents: montelukast, theophylline, roflumilast, cromones
STEP THERAPY
- GINA 2024: 5-step asthma treatment ladder with as-needed ICS/formoterol guidance
- GOLD 2024: ABCE group framework and pharmacological escalation strategy
- Step-up and step-down criteria with review intervals
BIOLOGIC THERAPY
7 approved biologics with eligibility criteria, NICE TA references and dosing:
- Omalizumab (NICE TA278) — anti-IgE, allergic asthma
- Mepolizumab (NICE TA431) — anti-IL-5, eosinophilic asthma
- Benralizumab (NICE TA565) — anti-IL-5 receptor
- Dupilumab (NICE TA751) — anti-IL-4/IL-13, broadest T2 indication
- Tezepelumab (NICE TA878) — anti-TSLP, effective in T2-low asthma
- Reslizumab — IV anti-IL-5
- Dupilumab for COPD (2024) — BOREAS/NOTUS trials
ACUTE MANAGEMENT
- Acute severe asthma: severity classification (moderate/severe/life-threatening/near-fatal)
- 7-step treatment protocol including IV magnesium, IV salbutamol, ICU referral criteria
- COPD exacerbation: controlled oxygen, NIV (BIPAP) criteria and settings
- Antibiotic guidance — evidence-based indications
INHALER GUIDE
- pMDI, DPI, soft mist inhaler (Respimat) and nebuliser technique
- Spacer devices — indications, cleaning, replacement
- Device selection guide including environmental considerations (NICE NG80)
OXYGEN THERAPY
- SpO2 targets by condition — including COPD controlled oxygen 88–92%
- Delivery devices: nasal cannula, Venturi mask, non-rebreather, HFNO, NIV
- Long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) criteria — NICE NG115
GINA & GOLD 2024 GUIDELINES
- Asthma diagnosis, control assessment (ACQ/ACT), key GINA 2024 recommendations
- GOLD ABCD groups, spirometric grading, non-pharmacological management
- Asthma vs COPD comparison table
SPECIAL SITUATIONS
- Pregnancy: safe and unsafe drugs, acute asthma management in pregnancy
- Elderly: device considerations, polypharmacy interactions, spirometry
- Occupational asthma: causes, diagnosis, RIDDOR reporting
- Difficult/severe asthma: distinguishing difficult-to-treat from true severe asthma
SOURCES AND REFERENCES
Full tappable reference list: GINA 2024, GOLD 2024, BTS/SIGN 2019, NICE NG115, NICE TA278/431/565/751/878, NAVIGATOR trial, UPLIFT, IMPACT, BOREAS, BTS oxygen guidelines and BNF.
DISCLAIMER
This app is intended for use by qualified healthcare professionals only as a clinical decision-support and educational reference tool. It is not a medical device and does not replace individual clinical assessment, local guidelines, or official prescribing information.
Dr Atif Elnil MBBS MRCP UK, St Georges Hospital London