Farmer's Lung Medication

  • Author: Laurianne G Wild, MD, FAAAAI; Chief Editor: Zab Mosenifar, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jan 17, 2012
 

Medication Summary

Systemic corticosteroids (combined with avoidance measures) are the primary agents used to treat farmer's lung.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, cromolyn, nedocromil) or systemic immune modulators are not indicated for treatment at this time.

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Corticosteroids

Class Summary

Have anti-inflammatory properties and cause profound and varied metabolic effects. Corticosteroids modify the body's immune response to diverse stimuli.

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Prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone, Meticorten)

 

Immunosuppressant for treatment of autoimmune disorders; may decrease inflammation by reversing increased capillary permeability and suppressing PMN activity. Prescribed for severe symptoms or significant lung dysfunction despite antigen avoidance.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Laurianne G Wild, MD, FAAAAI  Chief and Professor of Clinical Medicine, Section of Clinical Immunology, Allergy and Rheumatology, Director, Allergy and Immunology Fellowship Training Program, Tulane University Health Sciences Center; Director, Allergy and Immunology Clinic, Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System in New Orleans

Laurianne G Wild, MD, FAAAAI is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, and Association of Subspecialty Professors

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Eduardo E Chang, MD  Fellow, Department of Allergy and Immunology, Tulane University

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Sat Sharma, MD, FRCPC  Professor and Head, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba; Site Director, Respiratory Medicine, St Boniface General Hospital

Sat Sharma, MD, FRCPC is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Sleep Medicine, American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, American Thoracic Society, Canadian Medical Association, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, Royal Society of Medicine, Society of Critical Care Medicine, and World Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Gregg T Anders, DO  Medical Director, Great Plains Regional Medical Command , Brooke Army Medical Center; Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Disease, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Gregg T Anders, DO is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Physicians, and American Thoracic Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Timothy D Rice, MD  Associate Professor, Departments of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, St Louis University School of Medicine

Timothy D Rice, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics and American College of Physicians

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Zab Mosenifar, MD  Director, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Director, Women's Guild Pulmonary Disease Institute, Professor and Executive Vice Chair, Department of Medicine, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, University of California, Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine

Zab Mosenifar, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Physicians, American Federation for Medical Research, and American Thoracic Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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