Respiratory Drugs

Front 1

upper respiratory drug; antitussive/suppresses cough reflex; used for chronic, non-productive cough; DO NOT USE w/ asthma or emphysema; do not give with juices, especially citrus; (Vicks 44)

Back 1

DEXTROMETHORPHAN

Front 2

upper respiratory drug; decongestant; mimics CNS to cause vasoconstriction to acheive decongesting; fight or flight drug; do not give to pts. w/ severe high BP or cardiac disorders; use humidifier and increase fluids (Sudafed)

Back 2

PSEUDOEPHEDRINE

Front 3

upper respiratory drug; expectorant; used to manage dry cough; not for use w/ chronic cough; lowers adhesiveness and viscosity of phlegm; have pt. do deep coughing exercises (--tussins)

Back 3

GUAFENESIN

Front 4

upper respiratory drug; 2nd generation antihistimine; relieves allergy symptoms; excreted in stool; no w/ juices; do not use in children <12. There is a potential for QT interval prolongation. (Allegra)

Back 4

FENFEXODINE

Front 5

lower respiratory drug; mucolytic; breaks up secretions; used to liquify thick, tenacious secrection; refrigerate solution and keep suctioning equip. close by. Freq. given by nebulizer for COPD, TB, CF; **antidote for Tylenol overdose** can have toxic renal effects

Back 5

ACETYLCYSTEINE

Front 6

lower respiratory drug; rescue drug for asthma; also used for COPD; stimulates receptors of smooth muscle in the lungs and uterus

Back 6

ALBUTEROL; BETA AGONIST

Front 7

lower respiratory drug; relaxes smooth muscle; taken every day as a maintenance drug to lessen freq. and severity of attacks; used for chronic asthma, bronchitis, COPD, emphysema; Do not give to pt. w/ soybean or peanut allergy; no w/ bladder problems and glaucoma

Back 7

IPRATROPIUM; ATROVENT; ANTICHOLINERGIC

Front 8

lower respiratory drug; produces bronchodilation; given orally for asthma and COPD; used in premature infants to treat bradycardia and apnea; do not give to pt. w/ acute asthma attack or peptic ulcer

Back 8

THEOPHYLLINE; XANTHINE DERIVATIVES