Respiratory: Cough Flashcards
Most common symptom driving patients to medical care?
Cough
Acute cough duration
< 3 weeks
only one that should be treated with self care
Sub-acute cough duration
3-8 weeks
Chronic cough duration
> 8 weeks
Upper airway cough syndrome
Post nasal drip syndrome
usually pts see worse cough at night
Non-pharmacological Treatments for cough
Adequate hydration/fluids
Vaporizers and humidifiers
Nonmedicated cough drops
Honey
Treatment for non-productive cough
Antitussives (Cough Suppressants)
Use as needed
Oral Antitissuves that are recommended
Codeine
Dextromethorphan
Codein and Dextromethorphan interact with….
MAOIs (Rasagiline, Tranylcypromine, Phenylzine, Selegiline)
OTC Topical Antitussives
Camphor
Menthol
RX Oral Antitissives
Benzonatate
Hydrocodone/chlorpheniramine
Avoid Benzonatate if…
patient has allergy to local anesthetics
Hyddrocodone/chlorpheniramine
CI w/ MAOs, Serotonergic agents or CNS depressants
Productive cough treated with….
Treated with Expectorants
Guaifenesin (OTC), not much evidence to support work
water is best expectorants
Using a cough suppressant and Expectorant combo?
You shouldn’t, counter act each other so don’t recommend
Treatment if UACS
Decongestant + 1st gen antihistamine
1st Gen antihistamine info
Avoid use with MAOIs
Cause drying of all secretions
Special pop w/ cough: Pregnant
Pregnant = nonpharm, OB/GYN (Codeine no during 1st trimester, dextromethorphan prob safe)
Breastfeeding = non pharm, go OB/GYN
Special pop w/ cough: Pediatrics
don’t use cough and cold products <4yrs
avoid opioid products <18yrs
can have paradoxical effects
Special pop w/ cough: Geriatrics
use lowest dose if possible
more likely to experience dizziness
1st gen antihistamines on Beers Criteria
Follow/up and monitoring of cough
Last >3 weeks
Symptoms don’t improve
Symptoms of bacterial infection
