Respiratory Drugs Flashcards
Albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin)
Name/Class: ALBUTEROL (Proventil, Ventolin)/Sympathomimetic Bronchodilator)
Description: Albuterol is a synthetic Sympathomimetic that causes bronchodilatation with less cardiac effect than epinephrine and reduces mucus secretion, pulmonary capillary leaking, and edema in the lungs during
allergic reactions.
Indications: Bronchospasm in Asthma and COPD, Hyperkalemia
Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to the drug.
Precautions: The patient may experience tachycardia, anxiety, nausea, cough, wheezing, and/or dizziness. Vital signs and breath sounds must be monitored; use caution with elderly, cardiac, or hypertensive patients.
Dosage/Route: 2.5 mg in 3 mL NS via nebulizer, repeat as needed. The duration of effect is 3 to 6 hours.
Hyperkalemia 20-30mg nebulizer
AMINOPHYLLINE (Aminophylline, Somophyllin)
Name/Class: AMINOPHYLLINE (Aminophylline, Somophyllin)/Methylxanthine Bronchodilator
Description: Aminophylline is a methylxanthine that prolongs bronchodilation and decreased mucus
production and has mild cardiac and CNS stimulating effects.
Indications: Bronchospasm in asthma and COPD refractory to sympathomimetics and other
bronchodilators and in CHF.
Furosemide (Lasix)
Name/Class: FUROSEMIDE (Lasix)/Diuretic
Description: Furosemide is a rapid-acting, potent diuretic and antihypertensive that inhibits sodium
reabsorption by the kidney. Its vasodilating effects reduce venous return and cardiac workload.
Indications: Congestive heart failure and pulmonary edema.
Contraindications: Hypotension
Precautions: Infants, elderly, hepatic impairment, cardiogenic shock associated with acute MI, gout, or patients receiving digitalis or potassium-depleting steroids.
Dosage/Route: 40 to 120 mg slow IV or could cause tinitis.
Pedi: 1 mg/kg slow IV.
Ipratropium (Atrovent)
Name/Class: IPRATROPIUM (Atrovent)/Anticholinergic
Description: Ipratropium is a bronchodilator used in the treatment of respiratory emergencies that causes bronchial dilation and dries respiratory tract secretions by blocking acetylcholine receptors.
Indications: Bronchospasm associated with asthma, COPD, and inhaled irritants.
Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to atropine or its derivatives, or as a primary treatment for acute bronchospasm. Nut Allergy
Precautions: Elderly, cardiovascular disease, or hypertension.
Dosage/Route: 500 mcg in 3 mL NS via nebulizer.
Pedi: 125 to 250 mcg in 2.5 to 3 mL NS via nebulizer.
LEVALBUTEROL (Xopenex)
Name/Class: LEVALBUTEROL (Xopenex) Sympathomimetic, bronchodilator
Description: Stimulates beta-2 receptors resulting in smooth muscle relaxation of bronchial tree and peripheral vasculature.
Indications: Treatment of acute bronchospasm in patients with reversible obstructive airway disease (COPD/asthma). Bronchospasm prophylaxis in asthma patients.
Contraindications: Angioedema, tachydysrhythmias, and sever cardiac disease. Avoid use in patients taking phenothiazines; may cause prolonged QT interval and dysrthythmias.
Dosage/Route: 1.25 mg in 3 mL
Methylprednisolone (Solu-medrol)
Name/Class: METHYLPREDNISOLONE (Solu-Medrol)/Corticosteroid, Anti-inflammatoty
Description: Methylprednisolone is a synthetic adrenal corticosteroid, effective as an anti-inflammatory and used in the management of allergic reactions and in some cases of shock. It is sometimes used in the treatment of spinal cord injury.
Indications: Spinal cord injury, asthma, severe anaphylaxis, COPD.
Contraindications: No major contraindications in the emergency setting.
Precautions: Only a single dose should be given in the prehospital setting.
Dosage/Route: Asthma/COPD/anaphylaxis: 125mg IV/IM.
Pedi: 1 to 2 mg/kg/dose IV/IM.
Spinal cord injury: 30 mg/kg IV over 15 min
RACEMIC EPINEPHRINE (microNefrin, Vaponefrin)
Name/Class: RACEMIC EPINEPHRINE (microNefrin, Vaponefrin)/Sympathomimetic Agonist
Description: Racemic epinephrine is a variation of epinephrine used only for inhalation to induce bronchodilation and to reduce laryngeal edema and mucus secretion.
Indications: Croup (laryngotracheobronchitis).
Contraindications: Hypersensitivity, hypertension, or epiglottitis.
Precautions be monitored. : May result in tachycardia and other dysrhythmias. Patient vital signs and ECG should
Dosage/Route: 0.5mg in 3 mL NS once by nebulizer.
Pedi: same as adult.
TERBUTALINE (Brethine, Bricanyl)
Name/Class: TERBUTALINE (Brethine, Bricanyl)/Sympathetic Agonist
Description: Terbutaline is a synthetic sympathomimetic that causes bronchodilatation with less cardiac effect than epinephrine.
Indications: Bronchial asthma and bronchospasm in COPD.
Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to the drug.
Precautions: The patient may experience palpitations, anxiety, nausea, and/or
Dizziness; use caution with cardiac or hypertensive patients.
Dosage/Route: 0.25 mg SQ repeated in 15 to 30 mins.
