Biologic Therapies for Asthma

If traditional medications don’t work well enough for your asthma, biologic drugs may improve your quality of life. Pulmonologists (lung doctors) at St. Bernards Clopton Clinic sometimes prescribe these newer therapies for severe asthma to help:

• Reduce reliance on inhalers
• Prevent trips to the hospital for emergency treatment of asthma attacks
• Decrease missed days of work or school
• Make breathing easier

What Are Biologic Medications?

Biologics are made from living cells. Unlike traditional asthma drugs, biologic therapies:

• Prevent symptoms rather than controlling or relieving them
• Are given through either an injection or an intravenous (IV) infusion, usually once every two to eight weeks

Certain biologic medications are available for people as young as 6 years old.

Are Biologics Right for Me?

Your pulmonologist may order blood tests and allergy tests to determine the best type and dose of a biologic drug for you. Biologics cost more than other asthma therapies, so you’ll want to check your insurance plan’s requirements for coverage. Once you start a biologic medication, we’ll monitor you to make sure your symptoms improve and help manage any side effects.