Download Chapter 9 - Respiratory System Drugs

Fundamentals of Pharmacology
for Veterinary Technicians
Chapter 9
Respiratory System Drugs
© 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning, a part of the Thomson Corporation.
Basic Anatomy and Physiology
• The respiratory system is the body
system that brings oxygen from the
air into the body for delivery via the
blood to cells
• Respiration is the exchange of gases
between the atmosphere and the
cells of the body
• Ventilation is the bringing in of fresh
air
© 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning, a part of the Thomson Corporation.
Basic Anatomy and Physiology
© 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning, a part of the Thomson Corporation.
Respiratory Drugs
• Expectorants
– Increase the flow of respiratory
secretions to allow material to be
coughed up from the lungs
– Increase the fluidity of mucus
– An example is guaifenesin
© 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning, a part of the Thomson Corporation.
Respiratory Drugs
• Mucolytics
– Decrease the viscosity or thickness of
respiratory secretions
– An example is acetylcysteine
(also used to treat acetaminophen
toxicity)
© 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning, a part of the Thomson Corporation.
Respiratory Drugs
• Antitussives
– Suppress coughs
– May be centrally acting or locally acting
– Centrally acting antitussives include
butorphanol, hydrocodone, codeine,
dextromethorphan, and trimeprazine (in
a combination product)
© 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning, a part of the Thomson Corporation.
Respiratory Drugs
• Decongestants
– Decrease the congestion of nasal
passages by reducing swelling
– Examples include phenylephrine and
pseudoephedrine
© 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning, a part of the Thomson Corporation.
Respiratory Drugs
• Bronchodilators
– Widen the lumen of the bronchi and
counteract bronchoconstriction
– Examples include cholinergic blocking agents
(anticholinergics such as aminopentamide,
atropine, and glycopyrrolate), beta-2adrenergic agonists (such as epinephrine,
isoproteronol, terbutaline, and albuterol), and
methylxanthines (such as aminophylline and
theophylline)
© 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning, a part of the Thomson Corporation.
Respiratory Drugs
• Antihistamines
– Block the effects of histamine
– Antihistamine drug names usually end
with –amine
– Side effects include CNS depression
and anticholinergic effects such as dry
mouth
– Examples include diphenhydramine
and chlorpheniramine
© 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning, a part of the Thomson Corporation.
Respiratory Drugs
• Respiratory stimulants
– Stimulate the animal to increase its
respirations
– Examples include naloxone (usually
used to stimulate respiration following
narcotic overdose) and yohimbine
(used to reverse xylazine administration
or overdose)
© 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning, a part of the Thomson Corporation.