Pharmacology Study Guide
Chapters 54 & 55: Respiratory Drugs
Bronchodilators
1.#Short-Acting#Beta2#Agonists#(SABAs):#Albuterol,#Levalbuterol#
-#Mechanism:#Stimulates#beta2#receptors#in#lungs#→#bronchodilation#
-#Therapeutic#Use:#Acute#asthma#attacks,#COPD#exacerbations#
-#Side#Effects:#Tachycardia,#tremors,#palpitations,#hypokalemia#
-#Nursing#Considerations:#Inhaler#technique#education,#monitor#HR#
#
2.#Long-Acting#Beta2#Agonists#(LABAs):#Salmeterol,#Formoterol#
-#Mechanism:#Prolonged#stimulation#of#beta2#receptors#→#sustained#bronchodilation#
-#Therapeutic#Use:#Maintenance#of#asthma#and#COPD#(not#for#acute#relief)#
-#Side#Effects:#Headache,#throat#irritation#
-#Nursing#Considerations:#Use#with#corticosteroids,#not#as#monotherapy#for#asthma#
#
Anticholinergics
1.#Short-Acting#Anticholinergics:#Ipratropium#
-#Mechanism:#Blocks#acetylcholine#in#airway#smooth#muscle#→#bronchodilation#
-#Therapeutic#Use:#COPD#management,#alternative#for#asthma#
-#Side#Effects:#Dry#mouth,#cough,#urinary#retention#
-#Nursing#Considerations:#Avoid#in#patients#with#glaucoma,#educate#on#mouth#hygiene#
#
2.#Long-Acting#Anticholinergics:#Tiotropium#
-#Mechanism:#Sustained#bronchodilation#by#inhibiting#muscarinic#receptors#
-#Therapeutic#Use:#Long-term#maintenance#for#COPD#
-#Side#Effects:#Dry#mouth,#throat#irritation#
-#Nursing#Considerations:#Capsule#form#is#for#inhalation,#not#swallowing#
#
Corticosteroids
1.#Inhaled#Corticosteroids:#Fluticasone,#Budesonide#
-#Mechanism:#Reduces#airway#inflammation#by#inhibiting#inflammatory#mediators#
-#Therapeutic#Use:#Long-term#asthma#control,#COPD#with#frequent#exacerbations#
-#Side#Effects:#Oral#thrush,#hoarseness#
-#Nursing#Considerations:#Rinse#mouth#after#use#to#prevent#thrush,#monitor#for#signs#of#
infection#
#
, Xanthines:
1. Caffeine,#Theophylline#
a. Mechanism:#increase#cAMP#to#caus#bronchodilation#
b. Therapeutic#use:#long#term#asthma,#COPD#
c. Side#effects:##arrhythmias,#seizures,#GI#upset,#headache#
i. Theophylline:#10-20#
1. Above#20:#n/v,#tremors,#arrhythmias#
a. Severe:#seizures#
d. Nursing#Considerations:#report#levels#above#20;#avoid#food#or#drinks#with#
caffeine#
Upper Respiratory:
1. Mucolytics:#Acetylcysteine#
-#Mechanism:#Breaks#down#mucus#structure,#making#it#easier#to#clear#
-#Therapeutic#Use:#Cystic#fibrosis,#COPD,#acetaminophen#overdose#
-#Side#Effects:#Bronchospasm,#nausea#
-#Nursing#Considerations:#Monitor#respiratory#function,#caution#in#asthma#patients#
2. Expectorants:#Guaifenesin#
-#Mechanism:#Increases#hydration#of#the#respiratory#tract#→#thins#mucus#
-#Therapeutic#Use:#Productive#cough#management#
-#Side#Effects:#Nausea,#dizziness#
-#Nursing#Considerations:#Encourage#fluids#to#aid#drug#effectiveness#
3. Antitussives#are#medications#used#to#relieve#coughing.#They#work#by#suppressing#
the#cough#reflex#in#the#brain.#Commonly#used#antitussives#include:#
-#**Dextromethorphan**:#Non-narcotic;#can#cause#dizziness#and#drowsiness.#
-#**Codeine**:#Narcotic;#can#be#effective#but#has#a#risk#of#dependence#and#sedation.#
4. Decongestants#
a. Decongestants#relieve#nasal#congestion#by#constricting#blood#vessels#in#the#
nasal#passages.#Common#decongestants#include:#
-#**Pseudoephedrine**:#Can#cause#increased#heart#rate,#hypertension,#and#
insomnia.#
-#**Phenylephrine**:#Often#found#in#combination#with#other#cold#
medications;#can#also#elevate#blood#pressure.#
5. Antihistamines#
a. Antihistamines#are#used#to#relieve#symptoms#of#allergies#by#blocking#the#
action#of#histamine.#They#can#be#classified#as#first-generation#or#second-
generation:#
-#**First-Generation#(e.g.,#Diphenhydramine)**:#Sedating,#may#cause#
drowsiness#and#dry#mouth.#
-#**Second-Generation#(e.g.,#Loratadine,#Cetirizine)**:#Less#sedating,#
preferred#for#long-term#allergy#management.#