Respiratory Drugs Flashcards
What are the three ways of delivering respiratory drugs?
- inhalation
- oral
- intravenous
What are the two types of bronchodilators that improve airway patency?
- Beta 2 agonists
- Anticholinergics
What two drug types prevent mast cell degradation?
- Chromoglycate
- Leukotriene receptor antagonists
What main drug types can impair ventilation?
- beta-blockers
- respiratory depressants (benzodiazepines + opioids)
what specific effect do beta blockers have on ventilation?
Impair it as they make the airways narrow due to increased effect on smooth muscle constriction
What drug is used to improve gas exchange?
Oxygen
what are the two ways of inhaled drug delivery?
- Meter dose inhaler (MDI) or “puffer”
- Breath activated device
what are the two types of breath activated devices?
- spinhaler
- turbohaler
what is the main issue with use of MDI’s?
A lot of the drug will be deposited around the oropharynx and may lead to local immunosuppression and candidiasis
Why are spinhalers/turbohalers preffered for use over MDI’s?
They deposit less of the drug in the oropharynx
What is a nebuliser used for/how?
Uses a liquid version of a drug, which is held in a small chamber. The compressor will blow air through the tube, cause it to bubble through the liquid drug. The bubble is coated with the drug and then breathed into the airway.
What are the two most common short acting beta agonist inhalers?
- salbutamol
- terbutaline
What colour are most short acting beta agonist inhalers?
Blue
What is the most common long acting beta agonist inhalers?
Salmeterol
What is usually the colour of long acting beta agonist inhalers?
Green
What is the main difference between short acting and long acting beta agonists?
The rate of onset
What is the rate of onset for short acting beta agonists?
2-3 minutes
What is the rate of onset for long acting beta agonists?
1-2 hours
How long does the effect of short acting beta agonists last?
4-6 hours
How long does the effect of long acting beta agonists last?
12-15 hours
How many different routes of administration are there for short acting beta agonists? And name them.
3:
- inhaled
- oral
- intravenous
How many different routes of administration are there for long acting beta agonists? And name them.
1:
- inhaled
What risks arise if a patient does not take an inhaled steroid with a long-lasting beta agonist?
Higher risk of acute coronary syndromes
What is the function of anticholinergics?
They inhibit muscarinic nerve transmission in automatic nerves
what type of drug has an additive effect in bronchial dilatation with beta agonists and is also effective at reducing mucous secretion?
Anticholinergics
what colour of inhaler are anticholinergics?
Grey
Give an example of an anticholinergic?
Ipratropium
what colour of inhaler will a patient have if they are on typically used corticosteroids?
Brown
name 4 corticosteroids used to reduce inflammation in the bronchial walls
- Beclomethasone
- Budesonide
- Fluticosone
- Mometasone
What are the two main corticosteroids used in brown inhalers?
- Beclomethosone
- Budesonide
what colour is a fluticosone inhaler?
Orange or yellow
what colour is a mometasone inhaler?
Pink
what are the three most common compound preparations?
- Seretide
- Fostair
- Symbicort
What are compound preparations?
Inhaled steroid with long lasting beta agonist
What does MART stand for?
Maintenance and reliever therapy
What is MART used for?
Acute episodes as well as prevention
Give an example of an inhaler used as a mast cell stabiliser
Chromoglycate inhaler
Give an example of a Leukotriene inhibitor
Montelukast tablets
What is the purpose of leukotriene inhibitors?
They prevent the release of chemical mediators in the bronchial wall. These chemical mediators initiate the process of asthma.
What do biological medicines target?
Specific immune modulators within the inflammatory process
