Respiratory SystemChapter 7Respiratory Medications

Presented By: Danielle ParkeBIO 120: Professor Abdullah

Respiratory Medications Respiratory medication can be used for problems

as minor as a cough or as serious as an asthma attack. The drug your doctor will likely prescribe for such respiratory issues will fall under the following categories:

antibiotics, antihistamine, antitussive, bronchodilator, corticosteroids, decongestant, expectorant, and mucolytic

The proceeding slides will provide a brief overview of 3 respiratory medication types:

antibiotic antihistamine decongestant

Antibiotic Word Parts:

anti- = against bi/o = life -tic = pertaining to

Is a medication used to kill bacteria causing respiratory infections

Brand Names Examples: ampicillin Amoxil Cipro Zithromax Levaquin

Cipro- antibiotic Classification: antibiotic Action: Cipro is used to treat different types of

bacterial infections. It works by stopping the production of essential proteins needed by the bacteria to survive. It is also used to treat people who have been exposed to anthrax.

Form: Cipro comes in tablet and oral suspension form (liquid form). It is taken twice a day in the morning and evening.

Side Effects: may include stomach discomfort, vomiting, mild diarrhea, vaginal itching or discharge, mild dizziness or mild headache.

Antihistamine Word Parts:

anti- = against

Is a medication that blocks the effects of histamine that has been released by the body during an allergy attack.

Histamine is released by the immune system after exposure to allergens (substances that cause allergies.)

Forms- antihistamine medication comes in capsules, tablets, nasal sprays, and injections.

Brand Name examples: Claritin Zyrtec Benadryl Loratadine

Allegra- (fexofenadine hydrochloride)

Classification: antihistamine Action: used to treat allergic symptoms of

seasonal allergic rhinitis (sneezing, runny nose, itchy or watery eyes), and urticaria (hives).

Form: Allegra comes in tablets, orally disintegrating tablets, and as an oral suspension

Side Effects: include GI symptoms of nausea or diarrhea, muscle or back discomfort

or pain, sleepiness, and menstrual cramps.

Decongestant Word Parts:

de- = without Is a medication that reduces stuffiness and congestion

throughout the respiratory system. Decongestants reduce the congestion and is not an

antihistamine. As mention before histamine is what produces the mucus formation decongestants do not block histamine, but will help to dry it.

There are 2 easy and natural decongestants which are exercising (running) and coffee.

Exercising inhibits adrenaline. A lot of decongestant medicine contain similar ingredients to the adrenaline that helps reduce stuffiness.

Coffee or any product with caffeine helps reduce congestion. Side effects from caffeine are similar to decongestants (high blood pressure and heart rate)

Brand Name examples: Sinex Afrin Drixoral

Afrin- oxymetazoline nasal Classification: decongestant Action: Dilated blood vessels can cause

nasal congestion. Afrin shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages to temporary relieve nasal congestion caused by allergies or the common cold.

Form: Afrin comes in nose drops or nasal spray.

Side Effects: include mild burning or stinging of the nose, sneezing, or runny nose.

Thank You!

Sources

http://www.drugs.com http://www.rxlist.com http://www.webmd.com/ Fremgen, B. F., & Frucht, S. S. (2013).

Medical terminology: A Living Language (5th ed.). Boston: Pearson.