Respiratory depression, respiratory distress syndrome, apnoea

Question 1

Respiratory stimulants (analeptic drugs) have a limited place in the treatment of ventilatory failure in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

They are only effective when they are given… (routes)

Answer 1

intravenous injection or infusion and have a short duration of action.

Question 2

The use of resp stimulants has been largely replaced by

Answer 2

ventilatory support including nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation

Question 3

the use of resp stimulants has been has largely been replaced by ventilatory support including nasal intermittent positive pressure ventilation.

but when can they be used?

Answer 3

occasionally when ventilatory support is contra-indicated and in patients with hypercapnic respiratory failure who are becoming drowsy or comatose, respiratory stimulants in the short term may arouse patients sufficiently to co-operate and clear their secretions.

Question 4

Respiratory stimulants can also be harmful in respiratory failure - why?

Answer 4

they stimulate non-respiratory as well as respiratory muscles. They should only be given under expert supervision in hospital and must be combined with active physiotherapy.

Question 5

is there any resp stimulant available atm for LONG term use in chronic resp failure

Answer 5

. There is at present no oral respiratory stimulant available for long-term use in chronic respiratory failure.

Question 6

What is doxapram

Answer 6

resp stimulant