Asthma is a respiratory illness marked by recurrent episodes of airway obstruction, an exaggerated bronchoconstriction response to environmental stimuli, and varying degrees of airway inflammation. Asthma is common, affecting at least 5% of the adult population and often arising in childhood. Asthma can also be severe and is a major cause of morbidity and even mortality in children and young adults.
The therapy of asthma consists of various combinations of inhaled and oral medications, with parenteral agents used during severe attacks. The major classes of agents used for asthma include beta adrenergic agonists, xanthine derivatives, anticholinergic agents, corticosteroids, antileukotrienes, monoclonal antibodies, and miscellaneous agents.
Hepatotoxicity is rare with most antiasthma medications but can occur, particularly with the antileukotrienes. Only oral and parenteral antiasthma agents have been linked to drug induced liver disease. The various inhaled agents have not been definitely linked to liver injury and are not discussed in any detail in this website.