title: Outpatient management of asthma.
abstract: Oral administration of xanthine compounds represents the first line of therapy in most patients with asthma. Establishment and maintenance of a therapeutic blood level of the medication requires regular dosgae. Oral sympathomimetic agents with predominantly beta-2 adrenergic activity, if tolerated, are often useful adjuncts to xanthine therapy. Sympathomimetic aerosols are not recommended. Cromolyn is often a valuable prophlactic agent. Corticosteroid aerosols may be useful in limiting adrenal suppression when steroids are necessary.
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D010349:Patient Compliance; D013566:Sympathomimetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014970:Xanthines / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D013566:Sympathomimetics; D014970:Xanthines; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium