What should you know about LAMA therapy for asthma?

LAMA means long-acting muscarinic antagonist. It relaxes airway muscle by blocking muscarinic signals, helping keep the airways open over an extended period. In asthma, it is generally considered alongside an inhaled corticosteroid and other controller treatment when symptoms or flare-ups continue. It is not the same as a quick-relief inhaler and should not replace an emergency plan.

Asthma symptoms can include wheezing, cough and chest tightness. Allergic Rhinitis or House Dust Mite Allergy may worsen airway symptoms in some people, while Chronic Cough can have several causes beyond asthma.

Ask your clinician to check inhaler technique, adherence, triggers, lung function and the current action plan before adding LAMA. Use the device exactly as prescribed and keep the reliever inhaler available if one has been provided. Do not stop an inhaled steroid or other controller suddenly because symptoms improve.

Possible effects include dry mouth, throat irritation, blurred vision or difficulty passing urine. Report troublesome effects, eye pain, new vision changes or urinary difficulty. A nebuliser treatment may be used in acute care, but it is not a substitute for regular controller use unless your clinician says so.

Follow your action plan for worsening wheeze, cough or chest tightness. Seek emergency help if breathing is severely difficult, speech is limited by breathlessness, lips look blue, you become drowsy or the reliever is not helping. Sit upright and use prescribed rescue medicine while seeking help.

Why is LAMA suitable for my asthma pattern? Which inhaler device should I use? How will we judge benefit and review side effects? What is my written action plan? When should I attend urgent care?