respiratory drugs Flashcards
what medications are used for upper respiratory disorders?
antihistamines
medications to control bronchial secretions:
antitussives
expectorants
mucolytics
decongestants
what are the medication classes to control bronchial secretions?
antitussives
expectorants
mucolytics
decongestants
What is the method of action of antihistamines?
compete with histamine at receptor sites
What are the effects of antihistamines?
Bronchial smooth muscle relaxation
Prevent or alleviate pruritis (itching)
Reduce secretions (runny nose, scratchy throat, watery eyes…)
antihistamines work best when?
early in response cycle
What are the first generation antihistamines?
Diphenhydramine
Promethazine
Dimenhydrinate
what are the second generation antihistamines?
Loratadine
Cetirizine
Fexofenadine
Desloratadine
are great at treating nasal allergies- hay fever and helping with the symptoms of a common cold
first and second generation antihistamines
Which drug class causes CNS depression?
1st generation antihistamines
which drugs have anticholinergic effects?
promethazine
dimenhydrinate
are antihistamines useful in extreme anaphylaxis?
no
are antihistamines useful as monotherapy in asthma attacks?
no
Blocking acetylcholine can cause?
which drugs do this?
temporary drowsiness, confusion, and memory loss
first generation antihistamines
this drug is used to prevent N/V and motion sickness
promethazine -bc of its anticholinergic effects
______ may be used for an allergic reaction causing itching, hives, but in a true anaphylactic emergency reaction, epinephrine (epi pen) needs to be used.
diphenhydramine
Airway: SOB, wheezing, chest pain or tightness, tightening of throat, difficulty swallowing
Skin: hives, swelling, itchiness, widespread redness, warmth
brain: anxiety, confusion, headache, feeling that something is about to happen
heart: faint, pale or blue color, dizziness, weak pulse, shock, loss of consciousness,
Stomach: N/V, diarrhea, stomach pain or cramps
S/S of anaphylaxis
What are the anticholinergic drugs?
What are negative side effects of the drugs?
dimenhydrinate
promethazine
Cants: see, spit, piss, shit
What are the primary uses for antihistamines? (4)
Nasal allergies
hay fever
hives
mild blood transfusion reactions
What are the secondary uses for antihistamines? (5)
motion sickness
vertigo
Parkinson’s
anaphylactic reactions (with other drugs)
sleep aid
which drug is used to treat motion sickness and vertigo?
dimenhydrinate
_______ and _______ are often used before a blood transfusion to prevent possible reactions.
Benadryl and acetaminophen
_____ and _____ are first gen antihistamines that are not going to be used for nasal allergies.
promethazine and dimenhydrinate
When are maximal plasma concentrations reached for antihistamines?
epinephrine?
1-3 hours for antihistamines
<10 minutes for epi
Has both CNS depressant and Anticholinergic properties
diphenhydramine
does diphenhydramine cross the placenta and go into breast milk?
yes
Appears on BEERS list- geriatric more susceptible to drug reactions- dose should be decreased or other antihistamine recommended
diphenhydramine
what is diphenhydramine used for?
anaphylaxis
allergic rhinitis
parkinson’s symptoms
insomnia
pruritis
Decreases skin response to allergy testing. Stop 4 days before testing.
Can be given PO, IV, or topically.
Avoid use of alcohol with ______
diphenhydramine
Avoid when breast feeding.
CNS depressant- avoid driving or things that require alertness
antiCholinergic- sugarless gum, frequent liquids, good oral hygiene
education for diphenhydramine
what can diphenhydramine cause in young children?
paradoxical excitation
how long should you avoid diphenhydramine before an allergy test?
four days
how is promethazine administered?
PO
IM
IV (caution)
suppository
ointment
Used for nausea, vomiting, often used as an adjuvant with pain med postop. In some cough syrups
promethazine
is promethazine a BEERS drug?
yes
because promethazine is a high alert drug, what can happen if it is given incorectly or in the wrong dose? what age should it not be administered to?
respiratory depression
dont use under 2 years old
what happens if promethazine is not diluted or given too rapidly?
tissue damage and fall of BP
must be given slowly
is promethazine given subcutaneously?
no, can cause tissue necrosis
IV- Assess for pain and burning at IV site. Avoid IV administration if possible.
Risk of CNS depression/respiratory depression with other CNS depressants.
promethazine cautions and assessments
IV –if not properly diluted or given too fast it can actually be dangerous –resp depression, pain and burning at IV site. has to be diluted well and given slowly
not usually given when pregnant
promethazine
can alcohol be taken with promethazine?
no
adverse effects of promethazine (6)
Life threatening reaction to some medications (Promethazine & some antipsychotics)
Altered Mental Status
Muscle rigidity
Fever (102-104)
Irregular, rapid pulse
May have high or low blood pressure
Anticholinergic Antihistamine (antiemetic)
PO/IM
dimenhydrinate
Used for nausea, vomiting, dizziness accompanying motion sickness
Decreased vestibular (inner ear) stimulation, which may prevent motion sickness
BEERS Drug
Causes CNS depression: drowsiness, dizziness
Can cause paradoxical excitation in children
Increased CNS depression with other CNS depressants
Pregnancy Risk B
dry mouth (anticholinergic)
dimenhydrinate
CNS depression- teach to avoid driving or other activities requiring alertness. Avoid use of other CNS depressants- alcohol, sedative/hypnotics, other antihistamines, opoids. pregnancy risk B
used for motion sickness, anticholinergic antihistamine
dimenhydrinate
do second generation antihistamines cause as much sedationas the first generation?
no, they do not
because second generation antihistamines do not cross the blood brain barrier, they do not cause which adverse effect as much?
respiratory depression
are the second generation antihistamines or the first generation histamines longer acting?
second generation are longer acting
these are often given more often daily because they can be taken during the day and don’t cause the drowsiness.
second generation antihistamines
which antihistamines typically have to be given every four hours?
promethazine
diphenhydramine
taken once a day and decrease symptom of allergies
second generation antihistamines
Decreased symptoms of allergic symptoms (nasal stuffiness, red swollen eyes, itching)
Daily dosing
Cautious use in children under 2.
Geri- Increased risk of adverse reactions
Dry mouth..
Avoid CNS depressants
loratadine
can cause photosensitivity, pregnancy risk B, and available in rapidly disintegrating tablet
loratadine
what is the only contraindication to the OTC drug loratadine?
allergy to the drug
PO/IV- most PO
Given for allergic/seasonal rhinitis and urticaria (hives)
Children: Contraindicated in children under 6 with renal/hepatic impairment
Geri: Lower dose
Caution in renal/hepatic impairment
Mouth dryness..
Pregnancy B; risk vs benefit (also breastfeeding)
Avoid CNS depressants with medication
Side effect of dizziness/drowsiness although not as significant as 1st generation
cetirizine
what do you need to assess for with first generation antihistamines?
drowsiness/dizziness
symptom resolution
toxicity
what do you need to increase you fluid intake to when taking a 1st generation antihistamine?
2-3 liters per day
t/f: you should administer an antihistamine prior to contact with allergens if possible?
true
t/f: antihistamines may cause a false negative on an allergy test?
true
what are the four drug classes used to control bronachial secretions?
anti-tussives
expectorants
mucolytics
decongestants
these medication shrink swollen nasal mucosa
nasal decongestants
what are decongestants used to treat?
rhinitis
common cold
sinusitis
hay fever
allergies
these medications are used for visualization of membranes prior to procedures
nasal decongestants
what are the three primary nasal decongestants?
phenylephrine
ephedrine
pseudoephedrine
Decrease the swollen nasal mucosa and decrease stuffiness
nasal decongestant
this drug is used to make meth and is controlled by pharmacists
pseudoephedrine
how do adrenergics or (sympathomimetic) nasal decongestants work?
constrict small blood vessels in the nasal passage and sinuses
constrict small blood vessels in the nasal passage and sinuses
adrenergics
how do anticholinergic nasal decongestants work?
decrease secretions
these nasal decongestants decrease secretions
anticholinergics
how do corticosteroid nasal decongestants work?
reduce inflammatory response in nasal passage
reduce inflammatory response in nasal passage
corticosteroid nasal decongestants
oxymetazoline is an example
adrenergic decongestants
______ nasal decongestants are addictive and can cause ______ ______ if used over 3-5 days
adrenergic, rebound congestion
fluticasone propionate is a ?
corticosteroid nasal decongestant
takes longer to receive full benefit and can be used for longer periods of time without rebound congestion.
corticosteroid decongestant
is the only intranasal anticholinergic
anticholinergic
Most decongestants are OTC while many ______ are by prescription
corticosteroids
Causes dilated arterioles in the nose to constrict
Reduces congestion
adrenergic decongestants (oxymetazoline)
Use these drugs no more than 3 days at a time to prevent?
adrenergic (oxymetazoline)
rebound congestion
is an alpha adrenergic agonist
oxymetazoline
causes vasoconstriction of dilated arterioles and reduces blood flow.
oxymetazoline
Sympathomimetic drug (mic or modify the actions of endogenous
catecholamines
of the sympathetic nervous system (Increase heart rate/blood pressure)
oxymetazoline
During a cold, the blood vessels that surround the nasal sinus are dilated and engorged with plasma, white blood cells, mast cells, histamines, and many other blood components that are involved in fighting infections of the respiratory tract. This swelling, or dilation, blocks the nasal passages, which results in nasal congestion. When these drugs are administered intranasally, they cause dilated arterioles to constrict, which reduces nasal blood flow and congestion. ______ should be used for no more than 3 days at a time.
Oxymetazoline
can cause you to be nervous –high heart rate, high bp,
(IMPORTANT)
oxymetazoline
this decongestant decreases secretions and must be primed y spraying before first use? what class is it in as well?
ipratropium, anticholinergic decongestant
good for treating runny nose in patients with both allergic and nonallergic rhinitis
ipratropium (anticholinergic decongestant)
These work by blocking acetylcholine which decreases secretions from the glands in the nasal passage. Common reactions include dry mouth and bad taste. It doesn’t have to be stopped after 3 days although there are differing opinions on length of time)
anticholinergics, ipratropium
what are the side effects of ipratropium ?
sore throat
nasal dryness/irritation
does not have to be stopped after three days, does not cause rebound congestion
anticholinergic decongestants