Patients with severe asthma frequently need the use of oral steroids such as prednisone to control their symptoms and flair ups. While the use of these drugs has been the basis for treatment in asthma for many years the side effects of oral steroids cannot be minimized. Even short-term courses as few as four times a year are associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes.
Most recently, the use of biologics in the treatment of asthma has become common place. Biologics are injectable medications that patients administer themselves usually monthly. These medications modify the immunologic basis for asthma in the patient which results in the reduced need for the use of oral steroids.
Beyond the help with asthma, initiating biologics reduces the rate of new-onset adverse outcomes. These new-onset adverse outcomes include a 38% reduction in diabetes, a 35% reduction in cardiovascular events and a 32% reduction in anxiety and/or depression. What this means is that the use of biologics and the subsequent reduction in oral steroid use not only helps control the asthma but also helps to reduce the onset and advancement of other serious healthcare issues.
Many patients do not want to use medications that they need to inject and, of course, there is a cost factor but using biologics can make a difference in the number of flair ups patients may have and improve other aspects of their health. If biologics are suggested for the treatment of your asthma, give it serious consideration.
