Inhaled corticosteroids, leukotriene antagonists and biologics for asthma and allergic disease
How inhaled corticosteroids suppress type 2 airway inflammation and why their pharmacokinetics set the balance of local and systemic effect, how leukotriene receptor antagonists work, and the targets, biomarkers and adverse effects of anti-IgE, anti-IL-5, anti-IL-4R and anti-TSLP biologics, with current Australian PBS status.
Tier 2Medical sciences concept
Written with AI assistance and fact-checked against the sources below. For exam study, not clinical decisions. How notes are made
At a glance
- Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are the controller in asthma because they suppress type 2 (eosinophilic) airway inflammation, which bronchodilators do not touch. They cut exacerbations and asthma deaths.
- Their dose-response is flat: most benefit comes at low dose, while adrenal suppression, bone loss and cataract risk keep rising.
- Leukotriene receptor antagonists block CysLT1. They are weaker than ICS but useful in aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease and exercise or allergic rhinitis overlap.
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Sources
- Australian Asthma Handbook, version 3.0AU/NZNational Asthma Council Australia, 2025 (V3.0)
- Tezepelumab is now available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)AU/NZNational Asthma Council Australia, July 2026
- Difficult-to-treat and severe asthma: a GINA guide for health professionalsGlobal Initiative for Asthma, 2026
- Therapeutic Guidelines: RespiratoryAU/NZTherapeutic Guidelines Limited, current eTG edition
- Barnes PJ. Glucocorticosteroids. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2017;237:93-115Springer, 2017
- Australian Medicines HandbookAU/NZAustralian Medicines Handbook Pty Ltd, 2026
- Last updated
- 14 November 2026
What changed
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