This document discusses different types of respiratory medications. It provides examples of antibiotics, antihistamines, and decongestants that are commonly used to treat respiratory issues. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections, antihistamines block the effects of histamine during allergic reactions, and decongestants work to reduce stuffiness by shrinking blood vessels in the nasal passages. The document also gives brief overviews of specific drugs for each category, including their classifications, actions, forms, and potential side effects.

1. Respiratory
System
Chapter 7
Respiratory
Medications
Presented By: Danielle Parke
BIO 120: Professor Abdullah

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.

9. Thank You!

10. Sources
 http://www.drugs.com
 http://www.rxlist.com
 http://www.webmd.com/
 Fremgen, B. F., & Frucht, S. S. (2013).
Medical terminology: A Living Language
(5th ed.). Boston: Pearson.