Antihistamines, decongestants, antitussives, expectorants Flashcards
What causes the common cold, and how does it cause this infection?
A viral infection normally causes the cold and occurs when the virus infects the mucosa of the upper respiratory tract
What causes excess mucous in the lungs and cold symptoms
Excess mucous is caused by the body having an inflammatory response to the invasion, and cold symptoms stem from fluid going down toward the pharynx and into the esophagus
What 2 things happens when nasal mucosa is irritated?
Triggering the sneeze reflec and release inflamatory and vasoactive things that dialate the blood vessels in nasal sinuses causing nasal congestion
How do we treat the common cold and what are the types of medications used for it?
We treat the symptoms and not the pathogen. We use antihistamines, decongestants, exporants and antitussives
What are other cold treatments, and what type of drug therapy is this considered?
We may use antivirals or antibacterial drugs, which are empirical therapy and are only used if we are sure there is virus or bacteria
What are examples of antihistamine drugs and their mechanism of action?
Loratadine and diphenhydramine. They are histamine antagonists, so bind to histamine receptors, prevent further secretion of histamines, affect secretion of lacrimal salivary and respiratory mucous glands
What are antihistamines used to treat?
Rhinitis, anaphylaxis, angioedema, drug fevers, vertigo, insomnia, cough
What are the contraindications for antihistamines, and what population should we avoid giving them to?
Narrow-angle glaucoma, heart disease, hypertension, COPD, pregnancy, and loratadine should not be given to kids under 2 years
What are the adverse effects of antihistamines
drowsiness, drying effects (dry mouth, difficulty urinating, constipation, change in vision)
What are the symptoms of nasal congestion, and what causes it?
Excessive nasal secretions, inflamed and swollen nasal mucosa. The causes are allergies and upper respiratory tract infection
What are the three groups of decongestants?
Adrenergics, anticholinergics, and corticosteroids
What are examples of adrenergic drugs?
Pseudoephedrine oral (sudafed), oxymetazoline HCL (dristan)nasal spray
What is an example of anticholinergics drugs?
Ipratropium bromide (atrovent) nasal spray
What are the three examples of corticosteroids?
Fluticasone propionate (flonase), beclomethasone dipropionate, budesonide
What is the mechanism of action for adrenergics
It constricts small arterioles to reduce swelling and allow secretion drainage
What is the mechanism of action for corticosteroids?
Targets inflammatory response and turns off the cell response
What is the MOA of anticholinergics?
It inhibits the secretions of serous and serous mucous membranes of the nasal passage
What is the mOA of antitussives and what is the opioid and non opioid example?
It inhibits the cough reflex which prevents harm for people who had surgery, reduces respiratory distress non-productive dry cough situations. The opioid example is codeine phosphate and non-opioid is dextromethorphan hydrobromide
What are the MOA for opioid and non oioid antitussives?
Tey both suppress coughing reflex and have a drying effect while opioid provides analgesia
What is the MOA of expectorants and what is the main example?
They help with expectoration(coghing and spitting out) of mucous in UR tract. The main example is guaifenesin
What are the two different MOAs for expectorants?
There is reflex stimulation which is when the drug irritates the GI tract causing loosening and thinning of the mucous. The other is stimulating the secretory glands within the respiratory tract that unstick the mucous.
What patients do we give expectorants to with caution?
Older adults and patients with asthma
What are the contraindications for adrenergic
Narrow-angle glaucoma, diabetes,
