2. 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
3. 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
4. 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.
5. 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
6. 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.
7. 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
8. 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.
