Medicines In Respiratory Disease

Question 1

What method of drug administration is used with an inhaler?

Answer 1

Topical

Question 2

List 2 types of drugs that improve airway patency

Answer 2

1. bronchodilators
   - Beta 2 agonist
   - anticholinergic
2. Anti-inflammatory
   - corticosteroid

Question 3

Name 2 drugs that improve ventilation by preventing mast cell degranulation

Answer 3

1. Chromoglycate

2. Leukotriene receptor agonists

Question 4

Describe how drugs that prevent mast cell degranulation help improve ventilation

Answer 4

They Reduce inflammatory mediators that are released into the airway wall and cause airway narrowing

Question 5

Name 2 groups of drugs that impair ventilation

Answer 5

1. beta blockers
2. Respiratory depressants
   - benzodiazepines
   - opioids

Question 6

What drug is used to improve gas exchange

Answer 6

Oxygen

Question 7

Name 2 methods of inhaled drug delivery

Answer 7

1. meter dose inhaler (MDI)
   - “puffer”
2. Breath activated device
   - spinnaker
   - turbohaler

Question 8

What is an advantage of breath activated devices?

Answer 8

The drug delivered is picked up by air as it moves across the device which then carries it into the airway

Question 9

What is a disadvantage of MDI’s?

Answer 9

They fire a jet of drug into the oropharynx to be captured by the air being breathed in. Because of this, a lot of the drug may be deposited around the oropharynx and may lead to local immunosuppression in that area

Question 10

What is other devices can be used for drug inhalation that could be used as an alternative to an inhaler during an asthma attack?

Answer 10

1. Nebuliser

2. Spacer

Question 11

What type drugs are used to relieve the symptoms of asthma?

Answer 11

Beta agonists

Question 12

What beta agonists are used as short acting drugs?

Answer 12

1. Salbutamol

2. Terbutaline

Question 13

What beta agonists is used as long acting drugs

Answer 13

Salmeterol

Question 14

What is the onset and duration times for short acting beta agonists?

What is the function of short acting beta agonists?

Answer 14

Onset: 2-3 minutes
Duration: lasts 4-6 hours

Used to TREAT acute bronchial construction

Question 15

What are the onset and duration times for long acting beta agonists?

What is the function of long acting beta agonists?

Answer 15

Onset: 1-2 hours
Duration: 12-15 hours

Function: used to PREVENT acute bronchial constriction

Question 16

Why are long acting beta agonists always used with an inhaled steroid?

Answer 16

If this is not done then the patient will have a higher risk of an acute coronary syndrome

Question 17

What are the main functions of anticholinergics?

Answer 17

. Inhibit muscarinic nerve transmission in autonomic nerves

. Additive effect in bronchial dilatation with B agonists and effective in reducing mucus secretion

Question 18

What is an example of an anticholinergic drug?

Answer 18

Ipratropium

Question 19

What is the main function of corticosteroids?

Answer 19

Reduce inflammation in the bronchial walls

Question 20

List 4 examples of corticosteroids

Answer 20

1. Beclomethasone
2. Budesonide
3. Fluticosone
4. Mometasone

Question 21

List 3 other groups of asthma drugs

Answer 21

1. mast cell stabilisers
2. Leukotriene inhibitors
3. Biologic medicines