RespiratoryEmergency Medicine
Acute Severe Asthma in Adults
BTS/SIGN/NICE NG80 — severity stratification, oxygen, salbutamol/ipratropium, IV magnesium, escalation criteria.
Source: BTS/SIGN 2019; NICE NG80
Used in: Asthma
Step 1 of ~7
info
Initial Assessment
ABCDE. Sit up. SpO₂, peak flow if possible (compare with personal best/predicted). ABG if SpO₂ <92% or life-threatening. Bloods: FBC, U&E, glucose, CRP. CXR if suspected pneumothorax, consolidation, or failure to respond.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Drugs
- Magnesium Sulphate IV (Acute Asthma) · Bronchodilator / Smooth muscle relaxant
- Tezepelumab (CRSwNP / Severe Asthma) · Anti-TSLP (Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin) Monoclonal Antibody
- Salbutamol (Paediatric — Asthma/Wheeze) · Short-Acting Beta-2 Agonist (SABA)
- Dupilumab (Moderate-Severe Asthma) · Anti-IL-4/IL-13 receptor alpha monoclonal antibody (type 2 inflammation biologic)
- Ipratropium with salbutamol · SAMA + SABA nebule
- Magnesium Sulphate (IV — ICU/Anaesthesia) · Electrolyte / Anticonvulsant / Tocolytic
Pathways
- Acute Asthma in Adults · BTS/SIGN British Guideline on Asthma 2019; NICE NG80
- Pulmonary Embolism Assessment · NICE NG158; ESC 2019 PE Guidelines
- Acute Exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) · NICE NG115; GOLD 2024
- Spontaneous Pneumothorax (Adult) · BTS Pleural Disease 2023
- Atypical Pneumonia (Legionella / Mycoplasma / Chlamydophila) · BTS 2023; IDSA
- COPD Exacerbation Management · NICE NG115 / GOLD 2024
Decision support only. Always apply local guidelines and clinical judgement.