Respiratory Drugs

Question 1

What are the three ways of delivering respiratory drugs?

Answer 1

• inhalation
• oral
• intravenous

Question 2

What are the two types of bronchodilators that improve airway patency?

Answer 2

1. Beta 2 agonists
2. Anticholinergics

Question 3

What two drug types prevent mast cell degradation?

Answer 3

1. Chromoglycate
2. Leukotriene receptor antagonists

Question 4

What main drug types can impair ventilation?

Answer 4

• beta-blockers
• respiratory depressants (benzodiazepines + opioids)

Question 5

what specific effect do beta blockers have on ventilation?

Answer 5

Impair it as they make the airways narrow due to increased effect on smooth muscle constriction

Question 6

What drug is used to improve gas exchange?

Answer 6

Oxygen

Question 7

what are the two ways of inhaled drug delivery?

Answer 7

1. Meter dose inhaler (MDI) or “puffer”
2. Breath activated device

Question 8

what are the two types of breath activated devices?

Answer 8

• spinhaler
• turbohaler

Question 9

what is the main issue with use of MDI’s?

Answer 9

A lot of the drug will be deposited around the oropharynx and may lead to local immunosuppression and candidiasis

Question 10

Why are spinhalers/turbohalers preffered for use over MDI’s?

Answer 10

They deposit less of the drug in the oropharynx

Question 11

What is a nebuliser used for/how?

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

What are the two most common short acting beta agonist inhalers?

Answer 12

• salbutamol
• terbutaline

Question 13

What colour are most short acting beta agonist inhalers?

Answer 13

Blue

Question 14

What is the most common long acting beta agonist inhalers?

Answer 14

Salmeterol

Question 15

What is usually the colour of long acting beta agonist inhalers?

Answer 15

Green

Question 16

What is the main difference between short acting and long acting beta agonists?

Answer 16

The rate of onset

Question 17

What is the rate of onset for short acting beta agonists?

Answer 17

2-3 minutes

Question 18

What is the rate of onset for long acting beta agonists?

Answer 18

1-2 hours

Question 19

How long does the effect of short acting beta agonists last?

Answer 19

4-6 hours

Question 20

How long does the effect of long acting beta agonists last?

Answer 20

12-15 hours

Question 21

How many different routes of administration are there for short acting beta agonists? And name them.

Answer 21

3:
- inhaled
- oral
- intravenous

Question 22

How many different routes of administration are there for long acting beta agonists? And name them.

Answer 22

1:
- inhaled

Question 23

What risks arise if a patient does not take an inhaled steroid with a long-lasting beta agonist?

Answer 23

Higher risk of acute coronary syndromes

Question 24

What is the function of anticholinergics?

Answer 24

They inhibit muscarinic nerve transmission in automatic nerves

Question 25

what type of drug has an additive effect in bronchial dilatation with beta agonists and is also effective at reducing mucous secretion?

Answer 25

Anticholinergics

Question 26

what colour of inhaler are anticholinergics?

Answer 26

Grey

Question 27

Give an example of an anticholinergic?

Answer 27

Ipratropium

Question 28

what colour of inhaler will a patient have if they are on typically used corticosteroids?

Answer 28

Brown

Question 29

name 4 corticosteroids used to reduce inflammation in the bronchial walls

Answer 29

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

Question 30

What are the two main corticosteroids used in brown inhalers?

Answer 30

1. Beclomethosone 2. Budesonide

Question 31

what colour is a fluticosone inhaler?

Answer 31

Orange or yellow

Question 32

what colour is a mometasone inhaler?

Answer 32

Pink

Question 33

what are the three most common compound preparations?

Answer 33

1. Seretide 2. Fostair 3. Symbicort

Question 34

What are compound preparations?

Answer 34

Inhaled steroid with long lasting beta agonist

Question 35

What does MART stand for?

Answer 35

Maintenance and reliever therapy

Question 36

What is MART used for?

Answer 36

Acute episodes as well as prevention

Question 37

Give an example of an inhaler used as a mast cell stabiliser

Answer 37

Chromoglycate inhaler

Question 38

Give an example of a Leukotriene inhibitor

Answer 38

Montelukast tablets

Question 39

What is the purpose of leukotriene inhibitors?

Answer 39

They prevent the release of chemical mediators in the bronchial wall. These chemical mediators initiate the process of asthma.

Question 40

What do biological medicines target?

Answer 40

Specific immune modulators within the inflammatory process