respiratory drugs

Question 1

Salbutamol moa

Answer 1

Beta receptor agonist

• Short-acting inhaled bronchodilator. Relaxes bronchial smooth muscle through effects on beta 2 receptors
• Used in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• Salmeterol has similar effects but is long-acting

Question 2

Corticosteroids moa

Answer 2

Anti-inflammatory

• Inhaled corticosteroids are used as mainterance therapy
• Oral or intravenous corticosteroids are used following an acute exacerbation of asthma or COPD

Question 3

Ipratropium moa

Answer 3

Blocks the muscarinic acetylcholine receptors

• Short-acting inhaled bronchodilator. Relaxes bronchial smooth muscle
• Used primarily in COPD
• Tiotropium has similar effects but is long-acting

Question 4

Methylxanthines (e.g. theophylline) moa

Answer 4

Non-specific inhibitor of phosphodiesterase resulting in an increase in cAMP

• Given orally or intravenously
• Has a narrow therapeutic index

Question 5

Monteleukast, zafirlukast moa

Answer 5

Blocks leukotriene receptors

• Usually taken orally
• Useful in aspirin-induced asthma