Inappropriate use of anti-asthmatic drugs in the Italian paediatric population

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 13, 2026

Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma
14:39

Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma

Published on: November 4, 2010

Antonio Clavenna1, Elisa Rossi, Alessandra Berti

  • 1Laboratory for Mother and Child Health, Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research, Milan, Italy. clavenna@marionegri.it

European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
|September 19, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Anti-asthmatic drug prescriptions were analyzed in Italian children. Many prescriptions were for conditions other than asthma, raising concerns about treatment efficacy in pediatric populations.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric pharmacology
  • Respiratory medicine
  • Public health

Background:

  • Asthma management in children requires careful consideration of drug efficacy and appropriate diagnosis.
  • Understanding prescription patterns is crucial for optimizing pediatric respiratory care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the patterns of anti-asthmatic drug prescriptions in a large Italian pediatric population.
  • To identify potential discrepancies between prescribed treatments and diagnosed conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of anti-asthmatic drug prescriptions for 417,559 children under 14 years old.
  • Data collected from retail pharmacies across 17 Italian local health units (ARNO project) in 2000.

Main Results:

  • 22.2% of children received at least one anti-asthmatic prescription.
  • Prescription prevalence was highest in infants, decreased with age, and was higher in boys.
  • Beclomethasone, salbutamol, flunisolide, and fluticasone were the most common drugs, with beclomethasone and flunisolide often used as nebulized suspensions.

Conclusions:

  • Anti-asthmatic medications are frequently prescribed for conditions other than asthma in children.
  • A significant number of children receive treatments lacking evidence of efficacy for their condition.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Application of Biochip Microfluidic Technology to Detect Serum Allergen-specific Immunoglobulin E (sIgE)07:10

Application of Biochip Microfluidic Technology to Detect Serum Allergen-specific Immunoglobulin E (sIgE)

Published on: April 21, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs01:25

Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition for which new therapeutic avenues, including anti-inflammatory drugs like mast cell stabilizers and anti-IgE treatments, continue to be developed.
Mast cell stabilizers, such as cromolyn (also known as sodium cromoglycate) and nedocromil (Tilade), are effective drugs in asthma management. These stabilizers hinder histamine release by skillfully obstructing the activation of mast cells and other cellular entities. Notably, they navigate this task without...
Drugs Used in Lower Respiratory Disorders: Overview01:17

Drugs Used in Lower Respiratory Disorders: Overview

Lower respiratory tract disorders present challenges that often require skilled and nuanced approaches for effective management. Common ailments, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), have prompted the development of intricate treatment strategies involving bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory drugs, each tailored to ease breathing and revitalize the lungs.
Bronchodilators, the first step of respiration enhancement, come in various forms, each with its own mechanism...
Antiasthma Drugs: Leukotriene Modifiers01:19

Antiasthma Drugs: Leukotriene Modifiers

Leukotriene modifiers, or cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonists, are medications used to manage chronic asthma. These agents target specific inflammatory mediators produced during arachidonic acid metabolism, an essential process in generating inflammation in the body.
Leukotriene modifiers work through two distinct mechanisms:
Antiasthma Drugs: β2-Adrenoceptor Agonists01:25

Antiasthma Drugs: β2-Adrenoceptor Agonists

Bronchodilators are critical in managing asthma, a chronic respiratory condition characterized by airway constriction due to inflammation and hyper-reactivity. Specifically, bronchodilators ease this constriction by relaxing the bronchial muscles, facilitating easier breathing.
One class of bronchodilators includes β2-adrenoceptor agonists. These agents target the β2-adrenoceptors located on bronchial smooth muscle cells. By stimulating these receptors, β2-agonists induce relaxation in these...
Antiasthma Drugs: Inhaled Corticosteroids and Glucocorticoids01:25

Antiasthma Drugs: Inhaled Corticosteroids and Glucocorticoids

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are anti-inflammatory drugs used primarily in treating persistent asthma and providing long-term maintenance. They target the bronchial mucosa, the lining of the airways, to control inflammation, a critical factor in asthma progression and exacerbation.
ICS work through a multifaceted mechanism of action. They suppress the inflammatory response caused by the proliferation of TH cells. They also reduce the transcription of the IL-2 gene, which is involved in the...
Antiasthma Drugs: Muscarinic Receptor Antagonists01:20

Antiasthma Drugs: Muscarinic Receptor Antagonists

Muscarinic receptor antagonists, also known as antimuscarinic agents, are a class of bronchodilators used to treat asthma, although they are more commonly used to treat COPD. They work by inhibiting the action of acetylcholine (ACh), a neurotransmitter, on muscarinic receptors found in the airways.
Antimuscarinic agents compete with ACh for the same binding site on the muscarinic receptors. By binding to these receptors, they inhibit the downstream effects of ACh and block the parasympathetic...