The document discusses several drugs used to treat respiratory conditions. It describes how the respiratory system works and then examines specific drugs including: antitussives which suppress coughing; Hycodan, a narcotic cough medicine containing hydrocodone and homatropine; Ventolin (albuterol), a bronchodilator used to treat asthma; Flonase (fluticasone), a steroid nasal spray used for allergies; and inhaled corticosteroids which reduce asthma symptoms and prevent attacks. It emphasizes that proper hand hygiene is important to prevent the spread of infections.

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By: M. Peterson
Biology 120 WW10
Spring 2014

2. * Description
The respiratory system and the organs in which
are involved are responsible for bringing fresh
air into the lungs, exchanging oxygen for carbon
dioxide between the air sacs of the lungs and
the blood stream, and exhaling the stale air.
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3. *

4. * A drug may be classified by the chemical type
of the active ingredient or by the way it is used
to treat a particular condition. Each drug can
be classified into one or more drug classes.
* Antitussives are drugs that suppress coughing,
possibly by reducing the activity of the cough
center in the brain. T
* Antitussive agents are used to relieve dry
cough.
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5. *Hycodan
* Hydrocodone is a narcotic cough medicine.
* Homatropine is a drug that works against the
narcotic to prevent an overdose of this
medication.
* The combination of homatropine and
hydrocodone combination is used to treat
cough.
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6. *
* Adrenergic bronchodilators are medicines that are breathed
in through the mouth to open up the bronchial tubes (air
passages) of the lungs. Some of these medicines are used to
treat the symptoms of asthma, chronic bronchitis,
emphysema, and other lung diseases, while others are used to
prevent the symptoms.

7. Ventolin
* Ventolin (albuterol) is a bronchodilator that
relaxes muscles in the airways and increases
air flow to the lungs.
* Ventolin HFA is used to treat or prevent
bronchospasm in people with reversible
obstructive airway disease. Albuterol inhalation
is also used to prevent exercise-induced
bronchospasm.
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8. * Inhaled corticosteroids act locally in the lungs
to inhibit the inflammatory process, which
causes asthma. They are potent antiinflammatory agents and effectively reduce
asthma symptoms. Corticosteroids prevent
asthma attacks and improve lung function.
Inhaled corticosteroids may also be used to
treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
that has an asthmatic component.
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9. Flonase
* Flonase (fluticasone) is a steroid nasal spray. It
prevents the release of substances in the body
that cause inflammation.
* Flonase nasal spray is used to treat nasal
symptoms such as congestion, sneezing, and
runny nose caused by seasonal or year-round
allergies.
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10. * Just a reminder…. Hand Hygiene is the #1 way
to prevent the spread of infections.
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