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.
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