Week 4 drugs for upper respiratory infections Flashcards
Contagious period of common cold
1-4 days before symptoms appear you can be contagious
Acute rhinitis
Acute inflammation of the nasal mucosa due to vasodilation.
Accompanies the common cold or seasonal allergies.
Allergic rhinitis
Due to pollen or foreign substance.
Antihistamines (H1-blockers)
Action: decrease nasopharyngeal secretions, nasal itching, and tickling that cause sneezing and motion sickness.
NOT used for emergency situations like anaphylaxis.
First generation antihistamine
Secondary effect is used for primary
Side effects: drowsiness, dry mouth, fatigue.
Example drug: diphenhydramine( bendadryl)
Don’t like to use for kids(decreases respiratory status)
Can also make some kids very hyper.
Can be given IV or PO
Second generation antihistamines
Aka nonsedating antihistamines
Advise against use of alcohol and CNS depressants.
Have less anticholinergic symptoms.
Cetirizine (Zyrtec)
Second generation antihistamine.
OTC
Used for allergic rhinitis
Given PO
1/2 life: 8 hours
Fexofenadine (Allegra)
Second generation antihistamine
OTC
Given PO
For allergic rhinitis and rhinorrhea
Has less sedative effect
1/2 life:14.4 hours
Loratadine( Claritin)
Second generation antihistamine OTC PO Used for allergic rhinitis. Long lasting H1-blocking effect.
1/2 life: 12-15 hours
Azelastine(Astelin)
Second generation antihistamine
NASAL SPRAY
Used for allergic rhinitis.
May cause headaches, mild sedation and bitter taste.
1/2 life: 22 hours
Desloratadine (Clarinex)
Second generation antihistamine
OTC
PO
For allergic rhinitis
1/2 life: 27 hours
Nasal and systemic decongestants
Action: stimulates Alpha-1 vasoconstriction to blood vessels in nose, causes decreases mucous secretions.
Adrenergic agonists
Systemic decongestants
Given OTC Side effects: jittery/ nervous feeling, hypertension and hyperglycemia.
Frequent use of decongestants especially nose drops or nasal spray can result in rebound congestion.
Pseudoephedrine (sudafed)
Systemic decongestant
Given PO OTC
For Rhinitis
Stimulates A1,B1
Less CNS stimulation and hypertension than ephedrine)
1/2 life:9-15 hours
Oxymetazoline(Afrin)
Systemic decongestant
GTT or Nasal Spray OTC
long acting decongestant,taken BID(morning and evening) can cause rebound congestion.
Only use 3-5 days
Stimulates: A1,B1,B2
Contraindications to taking systemic decongestants
Diabetes
Cardiac disorders
Hypertension
Hyperthyroidism
Phenylpropanolamine
A systemic decongestant that is no longer being made.
Was found to give users strokes
Intranasal glucocorticoids
Steroid sprays for the nose.
Treat allergic rhinitis
Have anti inflammatory effect.
Have less systemic side effects unless used for more than 30 days.
Fluticasone (Flonase)
Intranasal glucocorticoid
Nasal spray
For seasonal allergic rhinitis.
When symptoms decrease, reduce to 1 spray daily.
Tramcinolone(nasacort)
Intranasal glucocorticoid
1-2 sprays daily
Used for seasonal allergic rhinitis.
Has many uses such as immunosuppressant
Mometasone(Nasonex)
Intranasal glucocorticoid
1 nasal spray daily
For seasonal allergic rhinitis
Direct spray away from nasal septum,gently sniff.
Patient teaching for Benadryl
Warm patient not to drive or perform other dangerous activities if drowsiness occurs or until stabilized on drug.
Advise to avoid alcohol and other CNS depressants
antitussives
Act on the couch center in the medulla to suppress the cough reflex.
Can lead to respiratory depression.
Do not give to kids younger than 4.
Dextromethophan/guaifenesin (Robitussin DM)
Cough suppressant/expectorant
For nonproductive cough
Given PO
