Biologics have become an important way in which asthma specialists are able to control symptoms and flair ups in their patients. However, there is no treatment or therapy that does not have a potential side effect or risk in any disease. One thing that has concerned physicians is whether using the asthma biologics could increase the risk of infection.
The biologics used in patients with asthma are designed to control inflammation in a number of ways specific to the medication. Inflammation is the first way in which our bodies respond to infections and reducing that ability could lead to an increase in lung infections such as pneumonia.
Using a large data base of information comparing asthma patients, some of whom used biologics and some that did not, researchers were able to identify any increased risk of lung infection associated with the biologic use. There are a number of biologics on the market for asthma, and all were noted in the data. What was studied specifically was the incidence of developing a respiratory tract infection during a 3-year period of biologic use.
There was actually a trend toward a reduction in pneumonia risk in biologic users. This helps to confirm the safety of these important medications and the benefit of a reduced risk of pneumonia.
If you are an asthma patient and are having difficulty controlling your symptoms with usual therapy, talk to your doctor about the use of a biologic. Our practice has found them to be highly effective for asthma control.
