Inadequate parental understanding of asthma medications.

The parents of 128 children with asthma were interviewed about their knowledge of asthma medications. Simple understanding of the modes of action of these drugs was present in only 42.2% (for beta 2-agonists), 12.1% (methylxanthines), 11.7% (cromoglycate), 0% (inhaled corticosteroids), and 3.6% (oral corticosteroids) of parents. Simple understanding of when to use these drugs was present in 13.4% (beta 2-agonists), 4% (methylxanthines), 50% (cromoglycate), 47.1% (inhaled corticosteroids), and 0% (oral corticosteroids). Some understanding of the side effects was observed in 51.6% (beta 2-agonists), 40.4% (methylxanthines), 10% (cromoglycate), 5.9% (inhaled corticosteroids), and 25% (oral corticosteroids). Poor parental knowledge about the pharmacology of asthma was underlined by the inclusion of antibiotics, antihistamines, and decongestants as medications used in asthma. This study also uncovered the continuing misuse of compound methylxanthine preparations and non-selective sympathomimetics in a small percentage of patients.