5c- Mucus + Cough Related Drugs

Question 1

Mucus

How much mucus is generated per day in the body?

Answer 1

100mL

Question 2

Sputum Thickness

What are 3 factors that affect it?

Answer 2

1. Increased DNA from cellular breakdown (usually during infection)
2. Central Dehydration (too thick)
3. Dry gas delivery (no humidity, mouth + nose dry out)

Question 3

Mucus Clearance

Drugs are a FINAL option. What are 4 other more effective approaches to fix clearance?

Answer 3

1. Hydration
2. Humidity
3. Ambulation/Movement
4. Treating underlying infection when possible

Question 4

Drugs and Mucus

What are 4 drug categories that affect Mucus and Coughing?

Answer 4

1. Mucolytics
2. Expectorants
3. Antitussives
4. Drying Agents (anti-muscarinics)

Question 5

Mucolytics

What are 2 mucolytic Drugs?

Answer 5

1. Mucomyst (N-Acetyl-Cysteine)
2. Pulmozyme (Dornase Alfa)

Question 6

Mucomyst (N-Acetyl-Cysteine)

How does it work? What is also a special thing about this drug?

Answer 6

• Breaks di-sulfide bonds that link mucus proteins together
• Pungent odor related to sulphur compounds

Question 7

Mucomyst (N-Acetyl-Cysteine)

Why is it not recommended in all cases?

Answer 7

• Causes bronchospasm due to low pH
• Ventolin often given with it due to this

Question 8

Pulmozyme (Dornase Alfa)

How does this work and what does it help treat?

Answer 8

• It breaks up DNA in mucus
• Helps treat Cystic Fibrosis

Question 9

Pulmozyme (Dornase Alfa)

When is pulmozyme really only useful?

Answer 9

When there is an active infection, since it mainly breaks up DNA.

Question 10

Expectorant

What drug falls under this?

Answer 10

Hypertonic Saline (3-7%)

Question 11

Hypertonic Saline (3-7%)

What is it used for and what form is it given in?

Answer 11

• Helps promote secretion clearance + coughing in diseases that produce more sputum.
• Nebule = form

Question 12

Hypertonic Saline (3-7%)

WHy might you need to give ventolin before or after its usage?

Answer 12

Due to this drug causing bronchoconstriction often

Question 13

Anti-Tussives

What 2 drugs fall under this category?

Answer 13

1. Dextromethorphan
2. Codeine

Question 14

Dextromethorphan + Codeine

How do these drugs work?

Answer 14

Supress coughs by depressing the medulla cough centre of the brian

DOES NOT REMOVE UNDERLYING CAUSE OF COUGH

Question 15

Dextromethorphan + Codeine

When should these drugs be used only?

Answer 15

In dry, hacking, non-productive cough

Question 16

Drying Agents (Anti-Muscarinics)

What 2 drugs fall under this category?

Think of scope mouthwash

Answer 16

1. Robinul (Glycopyrrolate)
2. Scopolamine

Question 17

Robinul + Scopolamine

How do these drugs work? What are they used to help with?

Answer 17

• They competitively block muscranic receptors
• Help with drying up mucus if someone has excessive saliva or excessive thin secretions.