Respiratory Drugs

Question 1

Parasympathetic drugs administration of the study medication results in significantly increased bronchial diameter in normal subjects but no additional improvements in subjects that lack a functioning vagal nerve

Answer 1

administration of the study medication results in significantly increased bronchial diameter in normal subjects but no additional improvements in subjects that lack a functioning vagal nerve

• implies that the medication works at the level of the parasympathetic nervous system
• When the vagus nerve is stimulated, acetylcholine is released
• In airways, acetylcholine produces bronchoconstriction by acting on muscarinic receptors.

Question 2

Ipatropium

Answer 2

anticholinergic agent and derivative of atropine, blocks the action of acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors, preventing bronchonstriction

• less effective than beta-2 adrenergic agonists, and their effect starts 60-90 minutes after initiating treatment.
• enhances the bronchodilatory effects of beta-2 adrenergic agents.
• blocks the parasympathetic stimulation of tracheobronchial submucosal glands in the lungs, further enhancing the drug’s utility in the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Question 3

Albuterol

Answer 3

short-acting selective beta-2 adrenergic agonist that is the first-line treatment for acute bronchial asthma

Question 4

Flunisolide

Answer 4

one of the inhaled glucocorticoids used for the prophylactic treatment of bronchial asthma

Question 5

Zileuton

Answer 5

Leukotrienes are synthesized from arachidonic acid via the lipoxygenase pathway.
- inhibits this pathway and therefore reduces leukotriene production.