Resp Pharmacology Flashcards
(21 cards)
What is a useless cough
Persistent
Unproductive
Should useless coughs be suppressed?
Yes
What are cough suppressants called
Antitussives
What is a useful cough
Expels - productive
Where would a useful cough be found?
Chest infection - it should NOT be supressed
Brain mechanism of a cough
Cough receptors ——>
Cough centre in medulla —->
Vagal stimulation leading to cough
How can a dry cough be suppressed ( 2 ways )
Afferently - reduce the stimuli
Efferently - change the medullary cough centre to stop the cough reflex
AFFERENT supression of cough
Reducing the stimuli impact :
- linctuses - cough sweets to cover back of throat
- steam to clear airways
- stop smoking
Efferent drugs to take to reduce coughing
Attack the medullary cough centre
- opioids
- non opioids
- sedatives
Two ways to treat a PRODUCTIVE cough
- expectorants (not usually used)
- mucolytics
Name some expectorants for a productive cough
Guaiphenesin
Ipecacuanha
Oils
What do expectorants do in a productive cough
- increase secretion volume
- NOT USED now
Name some mucolytics given for productive cough
Acetyl cystine
Carbocystine
Mecystine
What do mucolytics do and what disease are they given in
Cystic fibrosis
Decrease the viscosity of the mucus
What ways can asthma be treated - 5 ways
- prevention of Ag: Ab reaction
- reduction of bronchial hyperactivity
- dilation of narrowed bronchi
- mash cell stabilisers
- antagonism of transmitter
How can antigen antibody reactions be prevented in asthma
- avoidance of allergen
- antihistamine
- avoid tobacco
- reduce weight
How can bronchial hyperactivity be reduced in asthma?
- cortico steroids (anti-inflammatory)
- inhibits inflammatory cells, mediators and cycloxygenase enzyme
Name some inhaled corticosteroids used in asthma
- belcomethasone, budesonide
- fluticasone, Flunisolide, Triamcinolone
When can oral corticosteroids be used?
In severe asthma - status asthmaticus
What are the adverse effects of corticosteroids
- Cushing syndrome
- inhibition of hypothalamic pituitary axis
- thrush
- hoarse voice
Cushing syndrome
From corticosteroids
- diabetes, hypertension, peptic ulcer
- psychosis
- delayed puberty
