Lower respiratory drugs Flashcards
What characterizes Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)?
Progressive loss of lung compliance and increasing hypoxia.
Actions of Xanthines
Act directly on smooth muscle of the respiratory tract in the bronchi and blood vessels.
Indications for Xanthines
Symptomatic relief or prevention of bronchial asthma.
Reversal of COPD related bronchospasms
Adverse effects of Xanthines are related to ________________
Theophyline levels in blood
Common drug-drug interaction with Xanthines
Nicotine increases its metabolism
Sympathomimetic vs Anticholinergic actions
Sympathomimetics: Broncho dilation, increased rate and depth of respiration.
Anticholinergics: blocks acetylcholine stimulation of vagus nerve which normally stimulates constriction of bronchi
Indications for anticholinergic drugs
for patients who can’t tolerate effects of sympathomimetics.
Weaker than sympathomimetics however.
Actions for inhaled steroids
Decrease inflammation response in airway. Very effective in treating bronchospasms.
indications of inhaled steroids
prevention and treatment of asthma.
Nomenclature for steroids
-one, -ide
Contraindications for inhaled steroids
Not used for acute/emergency asthma attacks or status asthmaticus
Action of Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists
Selectively and competitively block receptors that lead to the production of leukotrienes
Indications of Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists
Prophylaxis
Chronic treatment of bronchial asthma in patients < 12yo
What are leukotrienes?
Components of the slow-acting substance of anaphylaxis. Cause airway edema and inflammation
Prototype Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists
Zafirlukast.
What do natural lung surfactants do?
Reduce surface tension within alveoli, which increases their expansion for gas exchange
nomenclature for lung surfactants
-ant
Action of pharmacological lung surfactants
Replace missing surfactant in lungs of neonates with RDS
Indications for lung surfactants
rescue treatment for infants with RDS
Lung surfactants are metabolized in the _________
Lungs
Adverse effects of lung surfactants
Ductus Arteriosus, Hypotension, intraventricular hemorrhage, pneumothorax
prototype lung surfactant
beractant
Actions of Mast Cell Stabilizers
inhibits the release of histamint and slow reacting substance of anaphylaxis (SRSA)
indications for mast cell stabilizers
chronic bronchial asthma, exercise-induced asthma, allergic rhinitis
Why are mast cell stabilizers no longer considered standard treatment?
We have better, more specific and safe alternatives.
