Respiratory Drugs Respiratory System Drugs

Respiratory Drugs

Respiratory System Drugs

This paper summarizes the research on various respiratory system drugs. To understand the importance and utility of these drugs, one must first understand what respiratory drugs are and how they work. Doctors typically prescribe respiratory drugs for the treatment of disorders related to the respiratory system. These may include diseases or infections including bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia and emphysema to name a few. Symptoms traditionally associated with these diseases include lack of breath, wheezing, coughing and feeling fatigued.

Most drugs act to promote the release of mucous and open airways. These drugs and mechanisms are provided in the research presented below. Some of the common remedies used for defense do not require a prescription, and are referred to as agents that dilute secretions or mucous in the body. The most common of these are water and saline solutions. Doctors may use a combination of drugs to help relieve acute or long-term respiratory distress.

Typically when the respiratory system is partially or fully invaded by foreign substances resulting in disease, the body reacts with symptoms including coughing to help rid the body of secretions and other objects that might irritate the alveoli and lining of the lungs. Sometimes coughing is promoted because it allows for the release of foreign agents in the body. Some drugs act to suppress coughing. These are typically used when coughing in patients provides more harm than it does benefit. For example, if a patient is not able to rest and recover because of chronic coughing, a suppressant would be recommended to assist the individual for short-term relief.

Now that an understanding of respiratory drugs is available, we will discuss the various types of respiratory drugs available and their uses. Please note the medications described are among the more common medications used for patients with respiratory distress or chronic respiratory illness. They are not all inclusive. A doctor may recommend one or a combination of any of these to relieve respiratory distress. Please refer to Table 1.1 for a summary of the primary agents used and their function.

Antitussives

This type of respiratory drug is available over-the-counter. it's role is primarily to relieve the symptoms of illness, as it acts to suppress or stop one from coughing. There are other antitussive agents that are much stronger and not available without a prescription including Codeine, which is a form of opioid also effective for relaxing the coughing reflex in the body. Because opioids can be addictive, their use is often restricted to acute cases. Other antitussives that are not addictive are readily available, including Dextromethorphan, which has few side effects. As with any drug however, it is important to note this medication may interact with other medications causing harmful side effects. Some examples include patients taking central nervous system depressants and monoamine inhibitors.

Mucokinetic Drugs

This class of drugs helps the body clear up extra mucous. Mucokinetic agents work by thinning the mucus that forms during illness, so no coughing one can better clear their lungs and throat of irritating mucous. Typically water is used to dilute mucous that is secreted from the body. Some people however, including those with diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, are not capable of producing enough water to thin mucous. Therefore, in these cases, a mucokinetic agent may be helpful in allowing the body to release unwanted mucous.

This type of medication may also be combined with various saline solutions including salt water for gargling, which can release the pressure of mucous in the lining of the throat and respiratory tract.

Inhalants

There are multiple long and short-term inhalants one may use to promote clearer breathing, especially in patients with asthma. These include beta2-adrenergic selective bronchodilators, which act to open the air passage. Common examples of this longer-lasting agent include Formoterol and Salmeterol Xinafoate. Other drugs that work to relieve short-term asthmatic or bronchitis symptoms that act on the bronchial system include Anticholineric Drugs like Atrovent.

Methylxanthines

Yet another type of medication used to improve respiratory function is Methylxanthines. Some examples of these include Theophylline. These types of agents work similarly to bronchodilators which open the airway passage, in part by relaxing the bronchial or smooth muscles in the air passage ways. They also help promote greater circulation and engage the central nervous system so it can more actively work to provide oxygen throughout the body. Because these medications may result in increased cardio activity, most doctors recommend patients with a history of cardiovascular problems use them with caution, or not at all.

Montelukast

Singulair or Montelukast and Accolate or Zafirlukast are agents that like the Methylxanthines act on receptors in the air passageways of humans called the "leukotrien receptors" especially D4 and E4. These receptors are responsible for what is known as an anaphylactic reaction in the body, where they immune system hyper or overreacts to a stimulus and may result in a life threatening allergic reaction where the lungs and airways tighten up. These drugs can be taken orally to help relieve asthma and other symptoms including respiratory problems resulting from colds and allergies affecting the chest.

Mucolytic Drugs

These drugs are commonly known as expectorants and help induce coughing so a patient can remove and eject mucous and other undesirable excretions from the bronchial or air passageways and the lungs. One example of this type of drugs is Acetylcystaine and another is guaifenesin, often found in over-the-counter cough medications.

Table 1.1

Respiratory Drugs and Their Uses

Bronchodilator Drugs

Mucolytic Drugs

Methylxanthines Category

Anticholinergic Drugs

Dilutents

Help promote bronchial smooth muscle relaxation and contraction

Act as expectorants which help encourage coughing to release mucous from the throat and lungs

Works to convert theophylline, an active ingredient.

Helps produce local dilation of the bronchial airway.

Over-the-counter or home remedies with few side effects

Are useful for reducing excessive secretions of mucous

Some available over-the-counter

May help relax smooth muscle including bronchial muscle

Usually used as an inhalant.

Include water, which helps thin mucous build up so it can be cleared from the lungs or nasal passageways.

May reduce swelling of the mucosal tissues and reduce inflammation of the lungs