Respiratory drugs expectorants

The nurse must not administer antihistaminesto patients with lower respiratory tract diseases If the nurse administers these drugs to patients with disorders such as asthma, the drying effect on the respiratory tract may cause thickening of the respiratory secretionsand make expectoration more difficult. 

LJpper respiratory infections are among die most common afflictions of humans. The drug used to treat die discomfort associated widi an upper respiratory infection include antitussives, mucolytics, and expectorants. Many of tiiese dm are available as nonprescription (over-die-counter) dni, whereas otiiers are available only by prescription. 

Use of codeine may result in respiratory depression, euphoria, light-headedness, sedation, nausea, vomiting, and hypersensitivity reactions. The more common adverse reactions associated with the antitussives are listed in the Summary Drug Table Antitussive, Mucolytic, and Expectorant Drugs. When used as directed, nonprescription cough medicines containing two or more ingredients have few adverse reactions. However, those that contain an antihistamine may cause drowsiness. 

A mucolytic is a drug that loosens respiratory secretions. An expectorant is a drug that aids in raising diick, tenacious mucus from the respiratory passages. 

Expectorants are used to help raise respiratory secretions. An expectorant may also be included along with one or more additional drug, such as an antihistamine, decongestant, or antitussive, in some prescription and nonprescription cough medicines. 

Unit V has three chapters concerning drugs that affect the respiratory system. The first chapter in this unit discusses antihistamines and decongestants, the second chapter in the unit covers bronchodilators and antiasthma drugs, and the last chapter of the unit deals with antitussives, mucolytics, and expectorants. 

For a long time, muscarinic receptor-blocking drugs occupied a major place in the therapy of asthma, but they have been largely displaced by the adrenergic drugs (see Chapter 41). The problems associated with the use of antimuscarinic alkaloids in respiratory disorders are low therapeutic index and impaired expectoration. The... 

Expectorants are the drugs which increase the production of bronchial secretion and reduce its viscosity to facilitate its removal by coughing. Expectorants can stimulate the expulsion of respiratory secretion either directly or reflexly. Certain volatile oils of plant origin such as oil of lemon, anise, eucalyptus by steam inhalation route increase the respiratory secretion by its direct action. Another compound, guaiacol, which is obtained from wood creosote or synthetically prepared, directly increase bronchial secretion and syrup tolu (Tolu balsum) act in same way. 

Expectorant A drug that facilitates the production and discharge of mucous secretions from the respiratory tract. 

Respiratory System Drugs Mucolytic/Expectorant Agents... 

Expectorants drugs that increase respiratory tract fluid Eungal infections treatment of Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) treatment of... 

The drug is used in rheumatism and bronchial catarrh. It is considered a tonic, stomachic, carminative, and stimulant and is used as a fragrant adjunct to complex preparations and also in cough and digestive mixtures. Its chief use is for clearing the voice. The drug has an expectorant action and is useful in many respiratory ailments, especially of children. 

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