Respiratory and Gastrointestinal Drugs Flashcards Preview

Pharmacy Technician > Respiratory and Gastrointestinal Drugs > Flashcards

Flashcards in Respiratory and Gastrointestinal Drugs Deck (21)
Loading flashcards...
1
Q

Respiratory Drugs

A
  • drugs that are used to treat or prevent a variety of diseases associated with the respiratory system
  • usually administered orally or by inhalation
  • 2 main medications
    • bronchodilators
    • corticosteroids
2
Q

Bronchodilators

A
  • drugs used to treat bronchoconstriction and serve to dilate the bronchial passages
  • classes include:
    • inhaled corticosteriods
    • beta-agonists
    • cholinergic antagonists
    • methylxanthines
  • 2 prophylactic agent classes in addition to those above:
    • leukotriene modifiers
    • cromolyn
3
Q

Corticosteroids

A
  • are glucocorticoids, inluding the synthetic versions of these hormones, which are given to inhibit inflammation
  • glucocorticoid hydrocortisone (Cortisol) is the main drug used in this area primarily for asthma treatment
4
Q

Glucocorticoids

A

hormones produced in the adrenal cortex

5
Q

Beta-agonists

A
  • also called Beta-adrenergic agonists
  • are medications that relax muscles of the airways resulting in easier breathing
  • short-acting agents that affect beta-adrenoceptors
  • most often used in treatment of:
    • acute bronchospasms
    • exercise induced asthma
    • COPD
  • drugs include:
    • albuterol (short-acting)
    • arformoterol (longer-acting)
6
Q

Cholinergic Antagonists

A
  • block bronchoconstriction caused by activaction of the parasympathetic nervous system
  • also used for COPD
  • drugs include:
    • ipatropium (short-acting)
    • tiotropium (longer-acting)
7
Q

Methylxanthines

A
  • exact mechanism is not understood
  • act as bronchodilators through the relaxation of the bronchial smooth muscles helping constricted bronchial airways to dilate
  • Theophylline is the standard agent of this class
    • its use has been mostly replaced by inhaled corticosteroids and beta-agonists
8
Q

Leukotriene Modifiers

A
  • used as alternatives to inhaled corticosteroids
    • are less effective
  • typically used for prophylactic treatment of chronic asthma
  • also used for allergie
  • common drugs:
    • montelukast (Singulair)
    • zileuton (Zyflo)
9
Q

Cromolyn

A
  • not used frequently
  • sometimes used as asthma treatment
  • exact mechanism is unknown
    • it does prevent the release of inflammatory agents such as histamine
10
Q

Gastrointestinal Drugs

A
  • GI drugs
  • used for various GI conditions
    • ulcers
    • GI mobility
    • GI disease
  • Classified by areas of GI tract they target:
    • stomach
    • duodenum
    • lower GI tract
11
Q

Upper GI tract

A
  • Typical disorders:
    • acid reflux
    • gastric ulcers
  • Ulcers typically caused by H. Pylori and antibiotics are an effective treatment
  • OTC Pepto-Bismol has been shown to be somewhat bactericidal against H. Pylori
  • When H. Pylori is not the cause treatments include reduction of pH (acidity) in stomach by:
    • antacids
    • proton pump inhibitors
    • H2 antagonists
12
Q

Antacids

A
  • include:
    • calcium carbonate (TUMS)
    • magnesium salts
    • aluminum salts
  • side effects:
    • constipation from aluminum salts and calcium carbonate
    • diarrhea from magnesium salts
      • these medications are often used in combination to offset the side effects
13
Q

H2 Antagonists

A
  • work to prevent histamine-induced acid release
  • used for short-term treatment of GERD and peptic ulcer
  • typical drugs (-tidine):
    • cimetidine
    • ranitidine
    • famotidine
14
Q

Proton Pump Inhibitors

A
  • inhibit the H+-K+-ATPase enzyme of the parietal cells in the stomach, reducing overall acid secretion
  • superior to H2 antagonists = more effective
  • Medications include:
    • omeprazole (Prilosec)
    • esomeprazole (Nexium)
    • lansoprazole (Prevacid)
15
Q

Lower GI Tract

A
  • Typical disorders:
    • diarrhea
    • constipation
    • Inflammatory bowel disease
    • IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)
    • OIC (opiod induced constipation)
16
Q

Diarrhea

A
  • often caused by an infection, toxin, or drug
  • antibiotics are used for bacterial infections
  • for other causes:
    • opiate powders
      • diphenoxylate (Lomotil)
      • loperamide (Imodium)
    • absorbant powders
      • Kaopectate
17
Q

Constipation

A
  • drug classifications:
    • bulk-forming agents
      • calcium polycarbophil
      • methylcellulose
      • psyllium (Metamucil)
    • stimulants
      • bisadocyl (Dulcolax)
      • danthron
      • phenolphthalein (ExLax)
18
Q

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

A
  • ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease
  • Treatment options used to control the inflammatory process include
    • steroids
    • 5-aminosalicyclate (5-ASA)
19
Q

IBS

A
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  • involves bowel oversensitivity
  • 2 types:
    • IBS-C
      • constipation as predominate symptom
      • linaclotide (Lizness) - reduces activation of colonic sensory neurons–reducing pain–and activates colonic motor neruons–increasing smooth muscle contraction, promoting bowel movement
    • IBS-D
      • diarrhea as predominate symptom
      • rifaximin (Xifaxin)
20
Q

OIC

A
  • opioid induced constipation
  • common side effect of long-term use of opiods for pain management
  • 2 agents:
    • lubiprostone (Amitiza)
    • methylnaltrexone bromide (Relistor)
21
Q
A