Exam 2 Flashcards
Cold symptoms
Limited to upper respiratory tract
-Pharynx, nasopharynx, nose, and sinuses
Main cold season is Aug through early April
Cold risk factors
High population density such as shared workspaces
Respiratory allergies
Smoking
Sedentary lifestyle
Sleep deprivation
Getting Chilled –> common misconception
Cold symptom timeline
Day 1-3: sore throat first then nasal dominate days 2 & 3
-Red pharynx, nasal obstruction, mildly tender sinuses
-Nasal drainage: clear thing and watery
Days 4-5
-Cough in under 20% of people
-Secretions thicken and color may change to yellow/green
*Color due to myeloperoxidase
Day 6 and onward
Secretions return to clear as cold resolves
*Low grade fever possible especially in children
When to refer a patient for a cold
Oral temp greater than 100.4 F
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Worsening of symptoms or new symptoms occur during self-care
Concurrent health conditions (asthma, COPD, CHF)
AIDs or chronic immunosuppressive therapy
Frail older adults of advanced age
Infants <3 months of age
Goals of therapy in Colds
Prevent transmission of cold viruses
Reduce bothersome symptoms
Treatment strategies
Nondrug therapies
Single entity OTC products to treat specific symptoms-because combo products because symptoms peak and resolve at different times no need to put chemicals in body if its not going to be helpful
Complementary and non pharmacologic options
Hydration: water, juice, broth, chicken soup (limited anti-inflammatory evidence), ice pop
Adequate rest
Nutritious diet: no evidence that withholding dairy decreases cough or congestion
Increased humidification:
-Humidifiers
-saline nasal spray or drops
-Saline gargles (1/4 - 1/2 tsp of table salt in 8 oz of warm water)
-Steamy showers
Aromatic oils: camphor, menthol, eucalyptus
Zinc and Vitamin C
Breathe right nasal strips: Temp relieve congestion
Antiviral disinfectant: helps prevent transmission
-hand hygiene
-body positioning
-nasal bulb syringe (can’t blow nose till age 4 and regularly clean bulb, soften mucous)
Zinc
-Method of action: Inhibits rhinovirus binding and replicating in the nasal mucosa thereby suppressing inflammation
-When administered within 24 hours of cold symptom onset, zinc reduces duration and severity
-Dosing: 1 lozenge (at least 13 mg/lozenge) every 2 hours while awake, initiate at first sign of cold
-Side effects: nausea, upset stomach, diarrhea, irritation of oral mucosa, distortion of taste, copper deficiency (high doses)
Vitamin C
Method of Action: antioxidant properties, stimulate neutrophil and monocyte activity
Efficacy for prophylaxis and treatment of colds has been debated for > 70 years
Preventative, high dose > 2 grams/day
(not helpful to prevent colds in general pop, except patients with severe physical stress)
Side effects: diarrhea, GI upset at 4 g/day or more
OTC treatment options
Congestion/rhinorrhea: saline nasal spray, decongestants, 1st gen antihistamine
Aches/pains: systemic analgesics
Pharyngitis: saline gargles or local anesthetic sprays/lozenges, systemic analgesics
Sleeplessness: nasal decongestant spray and 1st gen antihistamine or alcohol containing product
Follow up with Primary care provider if:
Sore throat longer than several days
Symptoms worse during OTC
Symptoms persist/worse, Fever greater than 101.5
Pseudoephedrine
Mechanism of action: alpha adrenergic agonists that constrict blood vessels, decreasing sinusoid vessel engorgement and mucosal edema or swelling
Indication: temporary relief of nasal and eustachian tube congestion and cough associated with post nasal drip
Pharmacodynamics: Immediate release
Onset- within 30 minutes
Duration- 4-6 hours
Side Effects: CV (elevated BP and HR, palpitations, arrythmias), CNS (tremor, insomnia, anxiety, irritability, dizziness, HA), other (rebound nasal congestion, nausea/anorexia, difficulty urinating)
Drug interactions: ergot derivatives, linezolid, MAOIs, SNRIs
Avoid: if taking MAOIs
Pseudoephedrine with Pregnanacy and Lactation
Generally ok for pregnancy in first trimester but it could possibly raise BP and cause digestive issues
In lactating women it can reduce the flow of milk
Pseudoephedrine on BP and HR
Effects on BP and HR infrequently clinically relevant
Only raise BP by 1 mmHg
Naphazoline, oxymetazoline, phenylephrine, propylhexedrine
MOA: alpha adrenergic agonists that constrict blood vessels, decreasing sinusoid vessel engorgement and mucosal edema or swelling
Indication: temporary relief of nasal and eustachian tube congestion and cough associated with post nasal drip
Pharmacodynamics:
onset - within a few minutes
duration - varies by agent between 4-12 hours
Side effects:
Rebound nasal congestion (limit to 3 days to avoid rhinitis) , nasal burning/stinging, nasal dryness
Drug interactions: Albuterol
Avoid: Getting spray in eyes
*Pregnancy: Ok to use Oxymetazoline poorly absorbed so preferred
*Lactation: Likely ok to use
Oxymetazoline (afrin)
Adults and children >= 12 years
NMT every 10-12 hours Max 2 doses/24 hours
Children 6 to <12 years
NMT every 10-12 hours Max 2 doses/24 hours
Propylhexedrine (Benzedrex)
Adults and children >= 12 years
2 inhalations each nostril NMT every 2 hours
Children 6 to < 12 years
2 inhalations each nostril NMT every 2 hours
Brompheniramine, chlorpheniramine, diphenhydramine
MOA: Blocks histaminic and muscarinic receptors in medulla
Indication: relieve runny nose and sneezing due to common cold
Pharmacodynamics:
Onset - 15 to 30 min
Duration - 4 to 6 hours
Side effects: Sedation, dry mouth/nose/throat, nausea, dizziness, difficult urination, constipation, blurred vision, cognitive problems, excitation
Drug interactions: duloxetine, alprazolam, MAOI, Parkinson’s medications
Avoid: Alcohol, driving or operating machinery
*Pregnancy: Avoid brompheniramine, caution with diphenhydramine, likely ok to use chlorpheniramine
*Lactation: Avoid brompheniramine, low doses as needed chlorpheniramine, Short term use of diphenhydramine is ok
Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen
Indication: relief of aches or fever or sore throat
Medications:
Acetaminophen-> 325 -1000mg every 4-6 hours PRN (max is 3250 mg/day)
Ibuprofen-> 200-400 mg every 4-6 hours PRN (max 1200 mg/24 hours)
Naproxen-> 220 mg every 8-12 hours PRN (may take 2 tab = 440 mg to start)
Avoid: aspirin in children younger than 18 due to Rye’s syndrome
Pregnancy: Acetaminophen preferred
Lactation: All 3 likely ok for short term use
Benzocaine, dyclonine HCL, phenol, menthol
MOA: local anesthetic effect to provide pain relief
Indication: temporary relief of sore throat
Pharmacodynamics
Onset->Within minutes
Duration–> 2-4 hours
Dosing-> every 2-4 hours
Side effects: altered taste sensation, nausea
Drug interactions: none
Avoid: if allergic to anesthetics
Pregnancy and lactation is likely ok to use
Colds and older adults
More sensitive to side effects of systemic decongestants
May exacerbate diseases sensitive to adrenergic stimulation
Ex: HTN, DM, CAD, BPH, glaucoma
Colds and young children
OTC cold products not recommended in young children (<6 years old)
-Recommend non drug therapies
-Avoid combo products
-Avoid use of siblings topic decongestant meds for younger children
Nondrug therapies for infants
-Upright positioning to enhance nasal drainage
-Maintain adequate fluid intake
-Increase humidity of inspired air
-Irrigate nose with saline drops
-Carefully clear nasal passageways with bulb syringe
Presenting symptoms
Description:
Productive
Wet and chesty
Effective -> easy to expel
Ineffective -> hard to expel
Nonproductive
Dry or hacking (viral, atypical bacteria, GERD, CV, some meds)
Classification:
acute-> viral URTI, bacterial sinusitis, pertussis, allergic rhinits, COPD, pnuemonia, environmental irritants
Subaccute: post infection, CHF/fluid
Chronic: asthma, GERD, COPD, chronic bronchitis
Common cough complications
Exhaustion, sleep deprivation, social discomfort, MSK pain, hoarseness, excessive perspiration, urinary incontinence
Appearance:
URTI –> clear
Bacterial –> purulent
When is a patient not a candidate for self-care?
Worsens after 3-5 days
Persists are 2-3 weeks
Children younger than 4 years old
Temp >=100.4 F
Temp >= 100 F for more than 3 days
Complementary and non-pharmacologic options
- Honey
- Nonmedicated lozenges/hard candies
-Stimulate saliva and decrease throat irritation - Humidification
-Increases inspired air moisture to soothe airways
-Vaporizer: humidifier with well/cup for volatile inhalants - Nasal drainage techniques
-Adults: variety of drainage systems but saline solution most notable
-Babies and young children: rubber bulb syringe; positioning via baby sleep in your arm, raise head of bed if little child - Hydration
-Promotes less viscous secretions; consider other health conditions