Severe asthma toxicity and severity descriptors

Toxicity criteria and severity descriptors for treatments required to be trialled before accessing PBS-subsidised biological medicines to treat severe asthma.

ADL - activities of daily living
NIH - National Institutes of Health
LLN - lower limit of normal
ULN - upper limit of normal

Inhaled corticosteroids

Adverse eventBrief description of minimum gradeNIH common toxicity criteria grade
Gastro-intestinal
DiarrhoeaIncrease of 4 to 6 stools/day over baseline2 (or higher)
NauseaOral intake decreased without significant weight loss, dehydration or malnutrition2 (or higher)
Weight gain≥ 20% weight gain from baseline3 (or higher)
Nervous system - past psychiatric history not a contraindication
AnxietyModerate symptoms; limiting instrumental ADL2 (or higher)
HeadachesModerate pain; limiting instrumental ADL2 (or higher)
InsomniaModerate difficulty in falling asleep, staying asleep or waking up early2 (or higher)
Mood alterationModerate mood alteration; limiting instrumental ADL2 (or higher)
Dermatological
RashMacules, papules, urticaria or exanthem, with or without associated symptoms, covering > 30% of body surface area; limiting self-care ADL3 (or higher)
Purpura/bruisingCombined area of lesion covering 10 - 30% body surface area; bleeding with trauma2 (or higher)
Endocrine
Adrenal insufficiency/suppressionModerate symptoms; medical intervention indicated2 (or higher)
CushingoidModerate symptoms; medical intervention indicated2 (or higher)
HyperglycaemiaFasting glucose value > 8.9 mmol/L2 (or higher)
Ocular
CataractsSymptomatic; moderate decrease in visual acuity (20/40 or better)2 (or higher)
GlaucomaElevated intraocular pressure causing early visual field deficits; multiple topical or oral agents indicated; limiting instrumental ADL2 (or higher)
Musculoskeletal
Growth suppressionReduction in growth velocity by 10-29% ideally measured over the period of a year1 (or higher)
Myalgia/crampModerate pain: limiting instrumental ADL2 (or higher)
OsteoporosisBMD t-score < -2.5; loss of height < 2 cm; anti-osteoporotic therapy indicated; limiting instrumental ADL2 (or higher)
Respiratory
Bronchospasm (paradoxical)Symptomatic; medical intervention indicated; limiting instrumental ADL2 (or higher)
CoughSevere symptoms; limiting self-care ADL3 (or higher)
EpistaxisModerate symptoms; medical intervention indicated (e.g. nasal packing, cauterisation, topical vasoconstrictors)2 (or higher)
HoarsenessModerate or persistent voice changes; may require occasional repetition but understandable on telephone; medical evaluation indicated2 (or higher)
Miscellaneous
Anaphylaxis/HypersensitivitySymptomatic bronchospasm, with or without urticaria; parenteral intervention indicated; allergy related oedema / angioedema; hypotension3 (or higher)

Inhaled beta-2 agonists

Adverse eventBrief description of minimum gradeNIH common toxicity criteria grade
Gastro-intestinal
DiarrhoeaIncrease of 4 to 6 stools/day over baseline2 (or higher)
NauseaOral intake decreased without significant weight loss, dehydration or malnutrition2 (or higher)
Vomiting3 or more episodes (separated by 5 minutes) in 24 hours over baseline2 (or higher)
Cardiovascular
Cardiac arrhythmiaMedical intervention indicated3 (or higher)
Nervous system - past psychiatric history not a contraindication
Mood alterationModerate mood alteration; limiting instrumental ADL2 (or higher)
AnxietyModerate symptoms; limiting instrumental ADL2 (or higher)
HeadachesModerate pain; limiting instrumental ADL2 (or higher)
InsomniaSevere difficulty in falling asleep, staying asleep or waking up early3 (or higher)
TremorModerate symptoms; limiting instrumental ADL2 (or higher)
Dermatological
RashMacules, papules, urticaria or exanthem, with or without associated symptoms, covering > 30% of body surface area; limiting self-care ADL3 (or higher)
Musculoskeletal
Myalgia/crampModerate pain: limiting instrumental ADL2 (or higher)
Metabolism
Hypokalemia< LLN - 3.0 mmol/L; symptomatic; intervention indicated2 (or higher)
Respiratory
Bronchospasm (paradoxical)Symptomatic; medical intervention indicated; limiting instrumental ADL2 (or higher)
Miscellaneous
Anaphylaxis/HypersensitivitySymptomatic bronchospasm, with or without urticaria; parenteral intervention indicated; allergy related oedema / angioedema; hypotension3 (or higher)

Oral Corticosteroids

Adverse eventBrief description of minimum gradeNIH common toxicity criteria grade
Gastro-intestinal
Gastric irritation/ulcerSymptomatic; altered GI function; medical intervention indicated; limiting instrumental ADL2 (or higher)
NauseaOral intake decreased without significant weight loss, dehydration or malnutrition2 (or higher)
Vomiting3 or more episodes (separated by 5 minutes) in 24 hours over baseline2 (or higher)
Weight gain≥ 20% weight gain from baseline3 (or higher)
Cardiovascular
HypertensionStage 2 hypertension (systolic BP ≥ 160 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥ 100 mmHg); requiring medical intervention; more intensive therapy than previously used3 (or higher)
Fluid retentionSymptomatic; limiting function, unresponsive to therapy or requiring drug discontinuation3 (or higher)
Heart failureSevere with symptoms at rest or with minimal activity or exertion; intervention indicated3 (or higher)
Nervous system - past psychiatric history not a contraindication
InsomniaSevere difficulty in falling asleep, staying asleep or waking up early3 (or higher)
Mood alterationSevere mood alteration interfering with ADL3 (or higher)
Personality/behaviouralDisruptive to patient/family, requiring mental health intervention3 (or higher)
RestlessnessSevere symptoms; limiting self-care ADL3 (or higher)
Dermatological
Acne/dermatological conditionsSevere3 (or higher)
Purpura/bruisingCombined area of lesion covering 10-30% body surface area; bleeding with trauma2 (or higher)
Impaired healingRequiring medical management2 (or higher)
Laboratory
Hypertriglyceridemia< 5.7 mmol/L3 (or higher)
Hypokalemia< 3.0 mmol/L; hospitalisation indicated3 (or higher)
Endocrine
Glucose intoleranceSymptomatic; diet modification or oral agent indicated2 (or higher)
HyperglycaemiaFasting glucose value > 8.9 mmol/L2 (or higher)
Disordered menstruationVery irregular over pre-treatment2 (or higher)
Ocular
CataractsSymptomatic with marked decrease in visual acuity (worse than 20/40 but better than 20/200); operative intervention indicated (eg cataract surgery)3 (or higher)
GlaucomaElevated intraocular pressure causing early visual field deficits; multiple topical or oral agents indicated; limiting instrumental ADL2 (or higher)
Musculoskeletal
Osteoporosis or fractureSymptomatic, interfering with ADL 
Avascular necrosisSymptomatic; limiting instrumental ADL2 (or higher)
MyopathySymptomatic; evident on physical exam; limiting instrumental ADL2 (or higher)
Infections and infestationsSevere or medically significant but not immediately life threatening; limiting self-care ADL3 (or higher)
Miscellaneous
ImmunosuppressionSevere; requiring treatment withdrawal 
Page last updated: 1 March 2024.
QC 31931