Respiratory Drugs Flashcards
What are dermatophytes and how are they treated
Fungi that cause common infections of skin, nails and hair
Slow developing and slow dying on account of where they live (very slow anaerobic metabolism)
Occur in healthy and immunocompromised individuals.
Treated with topical anti-fungals usually but can also have oral if severe infections (adults only).
Active ingredients include: terbinafine, itraconazole, ketoconazole, miconazole.
What causes fungal meningitis
cryptococcus neoformans
What causes Aspergillosis of the lungs
Aspergillus fumigatus
What causes pneumocytis pneumoniae
pneumocystis jiroveci
how is fungal meningitis treated
2 weeks of IV amphotericin B
Quite a toxic therapy.
how would you treat a pneumonia caused by pneumocytis jiroveci
trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole
how would you manage life threatening asthma exacerbation
high flow oxygen, nebulised bronchodilators, oral predisilone, oral doxycycline, IV magnesium, consider aminophylline infusion
how do beta 2 agonists work
stimulate pulmonary beta receptors, stimulating adenyl cyclase which increases intracellular cAMP. Relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle
name some side effects of beta 2 agonists
tremor, hypokalaemia, hyperglycaemia, flushing, tachycardia
how do anti-muscarinics work
inhibit muscarinic M1 and M3 receptors in the lung. This causes a reduction in cGMP with inhibition of parasympathetic mediate broncho-constriction.
E.g ipratropium bromide
how do the methylxanthines work and give some examples
non-selective inhibition of phosphodiesterase causes an increase in intracellular cAMP which causes bronchial smooth muscle relaxation. Also has an immunomodulatory action: improved mucociliary clearance and an anti-inflammatory effect.
name some side effects of the methylxanthines
GI upset, palpitations, tachycardia, headache, insomnia, hypokalaemia
what type of drug are montelukast and zafirlukast
leukotriene receptor antagonists.
They reduce airway oedema and smooth muscle contraction. Used for prophylaxis of exercise induced asthma and in allergic rhinitis
What type of drug is omalizumab
MOnoclonla anti-IgE antibody.
USed in severe persistent asthma
what type of drugs is mepolizumab
anti-IL5 mAb. Reduces circulating eosinophils. Used in severe, refractory eosinophilic asthma
