Is your asthma difficult to control? Let's learn about the latest biologic therapy!

When we think of asthma, most of us think of an inhaler. In fact, for many people, an inhaler is a great help in controlling their asthma. But sometimes, especially for those with a slightly more severe form of asthma, there are times when it is difficult to use the inhaler correctly. Breathing becomes difficult and tiring. So today we are going to talk about a new, advanced treatment method that has been introduced to control such severe asthma conditions. It is called Biologic Therapy.

Simply put, what is Biologic Therapy?

This is a new treatment for severe asthma. The inhaler we usually use relaxes the muscles around the airways, making it easier to breathe. But this biologic treatment is a little different.

Imagine that there are small things inside our bodies that cause asthma, that is, inflammation in the airways. These are called antibodies, cells, or molecules . Biologic therapy specifically targets and blocks the action of those things that cause asthma. It's like finding the root of the problem and solving it.

This treatment reduces the frequency of asthma flare-ups, improves quality of life, and for some people, may even improve lung function to some extent.

How is this medicine administered to the body?

Biologic therapy cannot be taken as a pill. It is given in two main ways:

1. As an injection: This is an injection under the skin. In medical terms, it is called a subcutaneous injection .

2. By giving it into a vein: Just like giving saline, the medicine is given into the body through a cannula. This is called an intravenous (IV) infusion .

This means you will need to continue taking the medications your doctor has prescribed, such as:

• Allergy medications: These may include corticosteroids , antihistamines , and antileukotriene medications (for example, montelukast ).
• Allergy shots: Also called immunotherapy , these can reduce allergy symptoms over time.
• Asthma inhaler: Any inhaler prescribed to control your severe asthma should be continued with this treatment.

Who is this treatment really suitable for?

Biologic therapy is not given to all asthma patients. Your doctor will consider several factors before recommending this treatment for you. See if you have had any similar experiences.

• If your symptoms are not controlled despite using your prescribed asthma medication, especially your inhaler, correctly .
• If you have elevated levels of certain things in your blood reports , especially eosinophils ( a type of white blood cell that causes swelling in the lungs) or high levels of allergens (immunoglobulin E or IgE) .
• If you know what triggers your asthma and try to avoid them, but your symptoms persist .
• If you wake up in the middle of the night due to difficulty breathing .
• If you have to use your rescue inhaler more than twice a week.
• If you have to use medications such as corticosteroids to reduce swelling in the airways more than twice a year when your asthma is worsening.
• If you have to go to the Emergency Department (ETU) more than twice a year due to asthma symptoms.
• If you have had to stay in the hospital and receive treatment due to asthma.

If you have a condition like this, it is very important to talk to your doctor about whether biologic therapy is right for you.

What are the types of biologic medications used for asthma?

There are several types of biologic drugs approved by agencies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Each of them works in a slightly different way. Let's take a look at what they are.

Other questions you may have about this treatment

It's normal for a lot of questions to arise in your mind when discussing a new treatment like this. Let's look at the answers.

How long does the treatment take?

So far, there is no definitive recommendation for how long this treatment should be taken. It may take at least four months to determine whether it is providing relief from your asthma symptoms. Therefore, it is considered a long-term treatment.

What is the best biologic drug?

It is not possible to say that one medicine is better than another. There is no research comparing these medicines with each other. Your doctor will decide which medicine is best for you. He will consider many things, such as your breathing tests, blood tests, and the type of asthma you have.

Do I need to continue using the inhaler?

Yes! Absolutely. This is very important. Even after starting biologic therapy, never stop using your inhaler and other asthma medications. If your asthma is well controlled, your doctor may be able to reduce your inhaler dose over time. But that decision is up to you.

What are the benefits of biologic treatments?

The main benefit of this treatment is to reduce swelling in the airways and control asthma symptoms. In addition, there are several other benefits:

• You will be able to engage in normal physical activities and exercise .
• Asthma worsens, the frequency of running to the ETU decreases.
• The need for or dosage of allergy medication may be reduced.
• I sleep well because I don't wake up at night because I have difficulty breathing.
• The number of days you miss school or work due to asthma will decrease.

Are there any risks with this treatment?

In general, biologic therapy is quite safe. However, like all medications, there are some risks and side effects.

• Severe allergic reactions: Very rarely, some people can have a severe allergic reaction to this medicine. It can cause skin rashes, itching, hives, and sometimes a life-threatening condition called anaphylaxis . But don't panic. This is why doctors will monitor you for about two hours after giving you the medicine.
• Increased risk of parasitic infections: Biologic medications, especially those that reduce the number of eosinophils in the blood, may increase the risk of developing parasitic infections. These eosinophils are cells that help our immune system fight parasites, especially helminths .
• Asthma worsening if treatment is stopped: If you stop biologic treatment suddenly, there is a chance that your asthma symptoms will become worse than before.

When do you need to talk to your doctor?

Be sure to talk to your doctor in the following cases:

• If your asthma symptoms do not improve or seem to be getting worse after several months of treatment.
• If new allergy symptoms (such as skin rashes, itching) begin to appear.
• If you miss the day you are supposed to take your medicine or need to change it.
• If you have any other questions or doubts about this treatment.

Where can I get this treatment? Is it covered by insurance?

A doctor who specializes in asthma will decide if biologic therapy is right for you. He or she will review your symptoms, current medications, and blood test results. This treatment is usually given in a specialist's office or in a special unit (infusion center) at a hospital.

This treatment can be quite expensive, so talk to your doctor to see if your insurance will cover it. He or she can help you make sure by talking to your insurance company. Some pharmaceutical companies also offer financial assistance programs for people who receive this treatment.