Asthma Research Dashboard
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Overview - Asthma
Description of Asthma
Asthma affects individuals across all demographics, though children, seniors, and people from low-income, Black, and Hispanic communities are disproportionately impacted. While some children may outgrow the condition, others continue to experience symptoms into adulthood.
The exact causes of asthma remain unclear, and there is currently no pharmacological cure. Conventional medical care focuses on reducing symptom frequency, managing acute flare-ups, and preventing life-threatening exacerbations.
Asthma presents with a variety of symptoms that can range from mild to severe. Asthma symptoms may worsen during, episodes of acute symptom flare-ups, which can be triggered by various factors. These triggers include allergens such as pollen, dust mites, mold, or pet dander; irritants like smoke, air pollution, and strong odors; exposure to cold air or sudden temperature changes; physical exertion (exercise-induced asthma); respiratory infections; emotional stress; and, in some cases, reactions to medications like NSAIDs or beta-blockers. Environmental conditions, including high humidity or, rarely, intense light exposure, may also provoke symptoms. Frequent or severe episodes can increase the risk of complications, making early recognition and management essential.
Access to healthcare, along with consistent use of maintenance inhalers, prescription medications, and fast-acting rescue treatments—such as oral corticosteroids or inhaled/nebulized albuterol—can help patients avoid costly emergency visits and severe outcomes when managed appropriately.
Disease Classification
Condition: AsthmaDisease Family: Respiratory Disease
Organ System: Respiratory System
ICD-10 Chapter: Diseases of the Respiratory System
ICD-10 Code: J45
Asthma Symptoms:
Shortness of breath, wheezing (especially when exhaling), chest tightness or pain, persistent coughing (especially at night or early in the morning), difficulty fully exhaling, sleep disturbances, fatigue, increased mucus production, rapid breathing, anxiety during attacks, and exacerbations triggered by allergens or irritants.Also known as:
Hay Fever with Asthma, Reactive Airway Disease, Asthmatic Bronchitis, exercise induced asthma, seasonal asthma, detergent asthma, miner's asthma, wheezing, wood asthma, asthma with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic asthmatic bronchitis, chronic obstructive bronchitis, chronic obstructive asthma, predominantly allergic asthma, allergic bronchitis, allergic rhinitis with asthma, atopic asthma, extrinsic allergic asthma, hay fever with asthma, idiosyncratic asthma, intrinsic non-allergic asthma, nonallergic asthma, eosinophilic asthma, asthmatic bronchitis, childhood asthma, late onset asthma, mild intermittent asthma, mild persistent asthma, moderate persistent asthma, severe persistent asthma, allergic asthma, asthma in childbirth, asthma in mother complicating childbirth, asthma in pregnancy, asthma postpartum, asthma with nasal congestion, asthma with irreversible Airway obstruction, inhaled steroid dependent asthma, mixed asthma, occupational asthma, oral steroid dependent asthma, reactive airway disease, wheezing from allergies, lung disease due to external agent, cough variant asthma, asthma with status asthmaticus, asthma with allergic rhinitis in status asthmaticus, asthma with allergic rhinitis with status asthmaticus, asthma with status, Altima with status asthmaticus, allergic asthma with status asthmaticus, extrinsic asthma with status asthmaticus, uncomplicated mild intermittent, mild intermittent asthma with allergic rhinitis, intermittent asthma, controlled intermittent asthma, intermittent non-controlled asthma, intermittent allergic asthma, controlled intermittent allergic asthma, not controlled intermittent asthma, intermittent allergic asthma, controlled intermittent allergic asthma, not controlled intermittent allergic asthma, well controlled intermittent asthma, intermittent asthma with allergic rhinitis, controlled intermittent asthma with allergic rhinitis, uncontrolled intermittent asthma, permittent controlled allergic asthma, intermittent controlled asthma with allergic rhinitis, intermittent uncontrolled allergic asthma, intermittent uncontrolled asthma with allergic rhinitis, acute exacerbation of asthma with allergic rhinitis, unspecified asthma with exacerbation, allergic asthma with acute exacerbation, asthma with acute exacerbation, asthma with acute flare-up, asthma with allergic rhinitis with acute exacerbation, exacerbation of asthma, mild persistent asthma with allergic rhinitis, uncomplicated mild persistent asthma, mild persistent asthma, mild persistent allergic asthma, controlled mild persistent allergic asthma, not controlled mild persistent allergic asthma, controlled mild persistent asthma, uncontrolled mild persistent asthma, mild persistent asthma with allergic rhinitis, controlled mild persistent asthma with allergic rhinitis, not controlled mild persistent asthma, not controlled mild persistent asthma with allergic rhinitis, mild persistent controlled allergic asthma, mild persistent controlled asthma, mild persistent controlled asthma with allergic rhinitis, mild persistent uncontrolled allergic asthma, mild persistent uncontrolled asthma, mild persistent uncontrolled asthma with allergic rhinitis, mild persistent asthma not otherwise specified, uncomplicated moderate persistent asthma, moderate persistent asthma with allergic rhinitis, moderate persistent asthma, moderate controlled persistent asthma, moderate persistent allergic asthma, controlled moderate persistent asthma, not controlled moderate persistent allergic asthma, controlled moderate persistent asthma, not controlled moderate persistent asthma, moderate persistent controlled allergic asthma, moderate persistent controlled asthma with allergic rhinitis, moderate persistent uncontrolled allergic asthma, moderate persistent uncontrolled asthma with allergic rhinitis, moderate uncontrolled persistent asthma, moderate persistent asthma not otherwise specified, uncomplicated severe persistent asthma, severe persistent asthma with allergic rhinitis, severe persistent asthma, severe controlled persistent asthma, severe persistent allergic asthma, controlled severe persistent allergic asthma, not controlled severe persistent allergic asthma, severe persistent asthma with allergic rhinitis, not controlled severe persistent asthma with allergic rhinitis, controlled severe persistent asthma with allergic rhinitis, not controlled severe persistent asthma, severe persistent controled allergic asthma, severe persistent controlled astma with allergic rhinitis, severe persistent uncontrolled allergic asthma with allergic rhinitis, severe persistent uncontrolled allergic asthma, severe uncontrolled persistent asthma, severe persistent asthma not otherwise specified, Mild intermittent asthma with status asthmaticus, intermittent allergic asthma in status asthmaticus, Intermittent allergic asthma with status asthmaticus, Intermittent asthma in status asthmaticus, Intermittent asthma with allergic rhinitis in status asthmaticus, Intermittent asthma with allergic rhinitis with status asthmaticus, Intermittent asthma with status asthmaticus, Mild intermittent asthma with acute exacerbation, Mild intermittent asthma with exacerbation, Acute exacerbation of intermittent allergic asthma, Acute exacerbation of intermittent asthma with allergic rhinitis, Exacerbation of intermittent asthma, Intermittent allergic asthma with acute exacerbation, Intermittent asthma with acute exacerbation, Intermittent asthma with allergic rhinitis with acute exacerbation, Mild persistent asthma with acute exacerbation, Mild persistent asthma with exacerbation, Acute exacerbation of mild persistent allergic asthma, Acute exacerbation of mild persistent asthma, Acute exacerbation of mild persistent asthma with allergic rhinitis, Asthma, persistent, mild with acute exacerbation, Mild persistent allergic asthma with acute exacerbation, Mild persistent asthma with allergic rhinitis with acute exacerbation, Moderate persistent asthma with acute exacerbation, Moderate persistent asthma with exacerbation, Acute exacerbation of moderate persistent allergic asthma, Acute exacerbation of moderate persistent asthma, Acute exacerbation of moderate persistent asthma with allergic rhinitis, Asthma, persistent, moderate with acute exacerbation, Moderate persistent allergic asthma with acute exacerbation, Moderate persistent asthma with allergic rhinitis and acute exacerbation, Mild persistent asthma with status asthmaticus, Mild persistent allergic asthma in status asthmaticus, Mild persistent allergic asthma with status asthmaticus, Mild persistent asthma in status asthmaticus, Mild persistent asthma with allergic rhinitis in status asthmaticus, Mild persistent asthma with allergic rhinitis status asthmaticus, Moderate persistent asthma with status asthmaticus, Moderate persistent allergic asthma in status asthmaticus, Moderate persistent allergic asthma with status asthmaticus, Moderate persistent asthma in status asthmaticus, Moderate persistent asthma with allergic rhinitis and status asthmaticus, Moderate persistent asthma with allergic rhinitis in status asthmaticus, Severe persistent asthma with status asthmaticus, Severe persistent allergic asthma in status asthmaticus, Severe persistent allergic asthma with status asthmaticus, Severe persistent asthma in status asthmaticus, Severe persistent asthma with allergic rhinitis in status asthmaticus, Severe persistent asthma with allergic rhinitis with status asthmaticus, other asthma, asthma wheezing, mild intermittent asthma, mild persistent asthma, moderate persistent asthma, severe persistent asthma, unspecified asthma, exercise-induced bronchospasm, asthma flare, acute bronchospasm, exercise induced bronchospasm, asthma due to detergentDrug Interactions
THC Interaction with Pharmaceutical Drugs
- Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) can enhance the effects of drugs that cause sedation and depress the central nervous system, such as benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and alcohol.
- THC is metabolized by an inhibitor of several enzymatic liver pathways referred to as cytochrome P450 (aka CYP450). There are more than 50 enzymes belonging to this enzyme family, several of which are responsible for the breakdown of common drugs such as antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, doxepin, fluvoxamine), antipsychotics (haloperidol, clozapine, Stelazine), beta-blockers (e.g., propranolol), bronchodilators (e.g., theophylline), or blood thinners (e.g., warfarin). Thus, patients taking these medication classes may find that THC increases the concentration and effects of these drugs and the impact duration.
- Clinical observation (not yet confirmed by clinical trials) suggests no likely interactions with other pharmaceuticals at a total daily dose of up to 20mg THC.
If you are interested in the interaction potential of specific pharmaceuticals with THC, consider visiting these free drug interaction checkers: Drugs.com or DrugBank Online.
CBD Interaction with Pharmaceutical Drugs
- Cannabidiol (CBD) may alter the action of metabolic enzymes (specific drug-transport mechanisms) and alter interactions with other drugs, some of which may produce therapeutic or adverse effects. For instance, CBD interacts with the enzyme cytochrome P450 3A4 and cytochrome P450 2C19, increasing the bioavailability of anti-epileptic drugs such as clobazam (a benzodiazepine). This makes it possible to achieve the same results at significantly lower dosages, reducing treatment costs and risks of adverse effects.
- Groups of drugs affected include anti-epileptics, psychiatric drugs, and drugs affecting metabolic enzymes.
- Clinical observations (not yet confirmed by clinical trials) suggest no likely interactions with other pharmaceuticals at a total daily dose of up to 100mg CBD.
If you are interested in the interaction potential of specific pharmaceuticals with CBD, consider visiting these free drug interaction checkers: Drugs.com or DrugBank Online.
THC/CBD Interaction with Pharmaceutical Drugs
In general, when using cannabinoid-based therapeutics that contain both THC and CBD consider the ratio between them and weigh the relevant information displayed in the individual THC and CBD Drug Interaction windows accordingly.
If you are interested in the interaction potential of specific pharmaceuticals with both primary cannabinoids and THC/CBD, consider visiting these free drug interaction checkers: Drugs.com or DrugBank Online.
Concerns about Cannabis and Cancer-related Immunotherapies:
Some recent clinical observational studies have suggested that the co-administration of cannabinoid-based therapeutics and immunotherapy or immune checkpoint inhibitors in the treatment of certain types of cancer has been associated with worse overall survival rates (T. Taha et al., 2019; A. Biedny et al., 2020; G. Bar-Sela et al., 2020).
However, other studies have suggested that the co-commitment use of immune checkpoint inhibitors and cannabis-induced no such deleterious effects. More specifically, one trial was conducted on animals resulting in data suggesting that cannabis did not negatively affect the properties of immune checkpoint inhibitors (B. Waissengrin et al., 2023). The same authors compared the previous study results with findings from a cohort of 201 patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer who received treatment with monotherapy pembrolizumab as a first-line treatment and adjunct cannabis to treat mainly pain and loss of appetite. Their time to tumor progression was 6.1 versus 5.6 months, and overall survival differed between 54.9 versus 23.6 months in cannabis-naïve patients and cannabis-using patients, respectively. However, while numerically different, the authors write that these differences were not statistically significant, leading them to suggest that “These data provide reassurance regarding the absence of a deleterious effect of cannabis in this clinical setting.”
Dosing Considerations
THC Dosage Considerations
- THC micro dose: 0.1 mg to 0.4 mg
- THC low dose: 0.5 mg to 5 mg
- THC medium dose: 6 mg to 20 mg
- THC high dose: 21 mg to 50+ mg
CBD Dosage Considerations
- CBD low dose: 0.4 mg to 19 mg
- CBD medium dose: 20 mg to 99 mg
- CBD high dose: 100 mg to 800+ mg (upper limits tested ~1,500mg)
Disclaimer
Information on this site is provided for informational purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by your own licensed physician or other medical professional. You
should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease. If using a product, you should read carefully all product packaging. If you have or suspect that you have a
medical problem, promptly contact your health care provider.
Information on this site is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over-the-counter medication is also available. Consult your physician, nutritionally oriented health care practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications.
