Week 6 ~ Respiratory System Flashcards
What type of treatment is used for Upper Respiratory Diseases?
Empirical therapy —> because it’s difficult to identify between viral and bacterial causes of the common cold
What are the 4 upper respiratory disease (URI) drugs used for?
The common cold
Mostly caused by a virus
The virus invades tissues of the URT and an inflammatory response occurs, resulting in mucus production
How do Antihistamines work?
Drugs that directly compete with histamine for specific receptor sites
2 Histamine Receptors?
- H1 (Histamine 1) –> Commonly referred to as Antihistamines
- H2 (Histamine 2) –> Reduce gastric acid in peptic ulcer disease
- -> Include Cimetidine, Ranitidine
What are the 3 properties of Antihistamines?
- Antihistamine
- Anticholinergic
- Sedative
Antihistamines Mechanism of Action
Block action of histamine at the H1 Receptor sites by competing with histamine
Should be given early before histamine binds to receptors
Drying effect reduces nasal, salivary and lacrimal gland production
Sedative effect may cause drowsiness
What symptoms does antihistamines prevent that are caused by histamine?
- Vasodilation
- Increased GI and respiratory secretions
- Increased capillary permeability and itching
Antihistamines Indications
Nasal allergies/Allergic Reactions
Motion Sickness
Sleep Disorders
Parkinson’s Disease
Seasonal Allergies, ie hay fever
Antihistamines Contraindications
Known drug allergy
Children
Acute asthma
Heart Disease
Narrow angle glaucoma
Hypertension
Kidney Disease
Antihistamines Adverse Effects
Anticholinergic effects such as dry mouth, difficulty urinating, constipation, drowsiness, changes in vision
Antihistamines Drug Interactions
Alcohol
MOI’s
CNS Depressants…may increase CNS depressant effects
Apple/Grapefruit/Orange Juice
St Johns Wort
2 Types of Antihistamines
- Traditional: work peripherally and centrally
—>have Anticholinergic effects, more effective
Then no sedating drugs - Nonsedating: work peripherally
- –> eliminate unwanted adverse effects, longer duration
2 Kinds of Traditional Antihistamine Drugs?
- Diphenhydramine
2. Chlorpheniramine
3 Kinds of Non-Sedating Antihistamine Drugs
- Fexofenadine —> Allegra
- Loratadine –> Claritin
- Cetirizine —> Reactin
3 Types of Decongestants
- Adrenergics –> Sympathomimetics
- Anticholinergics –> Parasympatholytics
- Corticosteroids —> Intranasal Steroid
(Topical)
What’s the largest group of Decongestant?
Adrenergics
2 methods of administering decongestants?
- Oral
2. Inhaled/topically applied to nasal membranes
Oral Decongestants
Delayed onset but prolonged effects
No rebound congestion
Effect is less potent than topical decongestants
Name of an Oral Decongestant?
Pseudo ephedrine
Topical Nasal Decongestants
Prompt onset and produces potent effect
Causes rebound congestion, making the condition worse if used for several days
3 Types of Topical Nasal Decongestants
- Topical Adrenergics
- Intranasal Adrenergic (Inhaled)
- Intranasal Steroids
3 Intranasal Adrenergic Drugs
- Oxymetazoline Hydrochloride —> Vicks, Claritin
- Phenylephrine Hydrochloride
- Xylometazoline Hydrochloride –> Otrivin
3 Intranasal Steroid Drugs
- Beclomethasone Dipropionate
- Fluticasone Proprionate
- Flunisolide
Nasal Decongestant ADRENERGICS Mechanism of Action
Act on blood vessels surrounding nasal sinuses
Constrict small blood vessels that supply upper respiratory tract
RESULTS: tissues shrink, nasal secretions in swollen mucous membranes are able to drain and nasal stuffiness is relieved
Nasal Decongestion NASAL STEROIDS Mechanism of Action
Shrink engorged nasal mucous membranes
Relieve nasal stuffiness by acting on blood vessels surround nasal sinuses, have an anti inflammatory effect, decrease immune cells that respond to the inflammatory response
Nasal Decongestant Contraindications
Drug Allergy
Narrow angle glaucoma
Diabetes
Hypertension
Prostatitis
Hyperthyroidism
Uncontrolled Cardiovascular disease
Nasal Decongestants should be used cautiously in patients with history of what?
- Stroke/TIA’s
- Diabetes
- Long Standing Asthma
- Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
- Cerebral Arteriosclerosis
Decongestant Adverse Effects
- ADRENERGICS: causes nervousness, insomnia, tremors, palpitations
- STEROID: causes local mucosal dryness
4 Drugs for Upper Respiratory Disease
- Antihistamines
- Decongestants
- Antitussives
- Expectorants
2 Types of Cough
- Productive: cough up phlegm etc
2. Nonproductive: dry cough
What are Antitussives?
Drugs used to stop or reduce coughing
May be opiod or nonopiod
Used only for Non-productive coughs
Opiods Mechanism of Action as an Antitussives?
Suppress the cough reflex in the medulla