Whelehans Health News

Biologics for severe Asthma New Asthma Treatment Part 2   Biologics are a new class of drugs called monoclonal antibodies that are licenced for severe asthma. Last week I discussed Omalizumab (Xolair®), this week I discuss other biologics which include: Mepolizumab (Nucala®) Reslizumab (Cinqair®) Benralizumab (Fasenra®) Dupilumab (Dupixent®)   European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) guidelines (continued)   Mepolizumab Mepolizumab is an IL-5 inhibitor licenced as add-on therapy in adults and children over 6 with severe uncontrolled eosinophilic asthma. The EAACI strongly recommended Mepolizumab to limit exacerbations and taper oral corticosteroids in severe asthma but less strongly recommended...

Biologics for severe Asthma New Asthma Treatment Part 1   I previously discussed asthma in this column, this week I discuss biologics, a new class of drugs called monoclonal antibodies that are licenced for severe asthma. They reduce the inflammation from the in the respiratory tract. Only respiratory specialists can prescribe biologics. Most biologics are given by subcutaneous injection once or twice a month. All biologics are an add-on option and do not replace existing reliever and preventer medication, but patients should eventually be able to reduce the dosage of existing therapies such as inhaled corticosteroids. Biologics are available to...

Vitamin D Part 2   Vitamin D and Respiratory infections (including Covid 19)   Groundbreaking Irish Study on Vitamin D benefits against Covid 19 A study by the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) as well as research from Technological University Dublin (published in Irish Medical Journal in April 2020) indicated that Vitamin D reduces risk of getting Covid 19 and helps fight it for those infected with Covid-19. TILDA is an ongoing study of people over the age of 50 in Ireland. According to its report, Vitamin D Deficiency in Ireland - Implications for COVID 19,...

Vitamin D Part 1   Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. It helps absorb calcium and phosphorus in the intestines so it can be absorbed by the bones, keeping the skeleton strong. Therefore, preventing bone diseases including, osteoporosis and rickets in children. Vitamin D deficiency also causes a mild muscle weakness, thus increasing the risk of falls and hence fractures in older people. Therefore, vitamin D supplementation is often important in this age group. It is also known as the “good mood vitamin” and research shows it helps fight depression. How is Vitamin D Produced?   Vitamin D can be...

Medication used for schizophrenia Part 2   Choice of Drug   There are some differences between the various antipsychotic drugs. No one drug can be considered significantly better than the others, however one may be better for one individual than another. For example, some are more sedating than others so may be suitable for patients who are agitated or cannot sleep. If one does not work so well, a different one is tried until a good response occurs. A good response to antipsychotic medication occurs in about 70% of cases. Symptoms such as agitation and hallucinations generally ease within a...