DRUGS FOR DISORDERS

OF THE RESPIRATORY
SYSTEM
PRESENTED BY: HELAMAE REDOME
 I. Overview
Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and allergic rhinitis are commonly encountered
respiratory disorders. Each of these conditions may be associated with a troublesome cough, which may
be the only presenting complaint. Asthma is a chronic disease characterized by hyperresponsive airways
that affects over 235 million patients worldwide. This disorder is underdiagnosed and undertreated,
creating a substantial burden to individuals and families, and resulting in millions of emergency room
visits. COPD is currently the fourth leading cause of death in the world, and is predicted to become the
third leading cause of death by 2030. . Allergic rhinitis is a common chronic disease and is
characterized by itchy, watery eyes, runny nose, and a nonproductive cough that can significantly
decrease quality of life. Each of these respiratory conditions may be managed with a combination of
lifestyle changes and medications.
Preferred Drugs Used to Treat Asthma
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by
episodes of acute bronchoconstriction that cause shortness of breath, cough, chest
tightness, wheezing, and rapid respiration.
Pathophysiology of asthma
Airflow obstruction in asthma is due to bronchoconstriction that results from
contraction of bronchial smooth muscle, inflammation of the bronchial wall, and
increased secretion of mucus. The underlying inflammation of the airways
contributes to airway hyperresponsiveness, airflow limitation, respiratory symptoms,
and disease chronicity. Asthma attacks may be triggered by exposure to allergens,
exercise, stress, and respiratory infections. Unlike COPD, cystic fibrosis, and
bronchiectasis, asthma is usually not a progressive disease. However, if untreated,
asthma may cause airway remodeling, resulting in increased severity and incidence
of asthma exacerbations and/or death.
Sites of action for various respiratory medications.
1. Actions on lung
ICS therapy directly targets underlying airway inflammation by decreasing the
inflammatory cascade (eosinophils, macrophages, and T lymphocytes), reversing
mucosal edema, decreasing the permeability of capillaries, and inhibiting the
release of leukotrienes. After several months of regular use, ICS reduce the
hyperresponsiveness of the airway smooth muscle to a variety of
bronchoconstrictor stimuli, such as allergens, irritants, cold air, and exercise.
2. Routes of administration
a. Inhalation
The development of ICS has markedly reduced the need for systemic
corticosteroid treatment to achieve control of asthma symptoms. However, as
with all inhaled medications, appropriate inhalation technique is critical to the
success of therapy.
b. Oral/systemic
Patients with a severe exacerbation of asthma (status asthmaticus) may require
intravenous methylprednisolone or oral prednisone to reduce airway
inflammation. In most cases, suppression of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal
cortex axis does not occur during the oral prednisone “burst” (short course)
typically prescribed for an asthma exacerbation. Thus, a dose taper is
unnecessary prior to discontinuation.
3. Adverse effects
Oral or parenteral corticosteroids have a variety of potentially serious
adverse effects, whereas ICS, particularly if used with a spacer, have
few systemic effects. ICS deposition on the oral and laryngeal mucosa
can cause oropharyngeal candidiasis (due to local immune suppression)
and hoarseness. Patients should be instructed to rinse the mouth in a
“swish-and-spit” method with water following use of the inhaler to
decrease the chance of these adverse events. Due to the potential for
serious adverse effects, chronic maintenance with oral corticosteroids
should be reserved for patients who are not controlled on an ICS.
 Alternative Drugs Used to Treat Asthma
These drugs are useful for treatment of asthma in patients who are
poorly controlled by conventional therapy or experience adverse effects
secondary to corticosteroid treatment. These drugs should be used in
conjunction with ICS therapy for most patients.

Cromolyn
Cholinergic antagonists
Theophylline
Monoclonal antibodies
Cromolyn
[KRO-moe-lin] is a prophylactic anti-inflammatory agent that inhibits
mast cell degranulation and release of histamine. It is an alternative
therapy for mild persistent asthma and is available as a nebulized
solution. Because cromolyn is not a bronchodilator, it is not useful in
managing an acute asthma attack. Due to its short duration of action,
this agent requires dosing three or four times daily, which affects
adherence and limits its use.
Cholinergic antagonists
The anticholinergic agents block vagally mediated contraction of airway smooth
muscle and mucus secretion (see Chapter 5). Inhaled ipratropium [IP-ra-TROE-pee-
um], a short-acting quaternary derivative of atropine, is not recommended for the
routine treatment of acute bronchospasm in asthma, as its onset is much slower
than that of inhaled SABAs. However, it may be useful in patients who are unable
to tolerate a SABA or patients with asthma– COPD overlap syndrome. Ipratropium
also offers additional benefit when used with a SABA for the treatment of acute
asthma exacerbations in the emergency department. Tiotropium [tye-oh-TROE-pee-
um], a long-acting anticholinergic agent, can be used as an add-on treatment in
adult patients with severe asthma and a history of exacerbations.

Adverse effects such as xerostomia and bitter taste are related to local
anticholinergic effects.
Theophylline
[thee-OFF-i-lin] is a bronchodilator that relieves airflow
obstruction in chronic asthma and decreases asthma symptoms.
It may also possess anti-inflammatory activity, although the
mechanism of action is unclear. Previously, the mainstay of
asthma therapy, theophylline has been largely replaced with β2
agonists and corticosteroids due to its narrow therapeutic
window.
adverse effect profile, and potential for drug interactions.
Overdose may cause seizures or potentially fatal arrhythmias
Monoclonal antibodies
Omalizumab [OH-ma-LIZ-oo-mab] is a monoclonal antibody that
selectively binds to human immunoglobulin E (IgE). This leads to
decreased binding of IgE to its receptor on the surface of mast cells
and basophils. Reduction in surface-bound IgE limits the release of
mediators of the allergic response. The monoclonal antibodies
mepolizumab [MEP-oh-LIZ-ue-mab], benralizumab [ben-ra-LIZ-ue-
mab], and reslizumab [res-LIZ-ue-mab] are interleukin-5 (IL5)
antagonists.
Adverse effects include serious anaphylactic reactions (rare),
arthralgias, fever, rash, and increased risk of infections.
Inhaler Technique
Appropriate inhaler technique differs between metered-dose
inhalers (MDIs) and dry powder inhalers (DPIs). Proper technique
is critical to the success of therapy, and inhaler technique
should be assessed regularly.
Metered-dose inhalers and dry powder inhalers
Spacers
Metered-dose inhalers and dry powder inhalers
MDIs have propellants that eject the active medication from the canister.
Patients should be instructed to exhale before they actuate the inhaler,
and then begin to inhale slowly as they press the canister and continue
inhaling slowly and deeply throughout actuation. This technique avoids
impaction of the medication onto the laryngeal mucosa and facilitates
the drug reaching the site of action in the bronchial smooth muscle.
Spacers
A spacer is a large-volume chamber attached to an MDI. The chamber
reduces the velocity of the aerosol before entering the mouth, allowing large
drug particles to be deposited in the device. The smaller, higher-velocity drug
particles are less likely to be deposited in the mouth and more likely to reach
the target airway tissue (Figure 39.7). Patients should be advised to wash
and/or rinse spacers to reduce the risk of bacterial or fungal growth that
may induce an asthma attack.
Drugs Used to Treat Allergic Rhinitis Rhinitis
is an inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose and is
characterized by sneezing, itchy nose/eyes, watery rhinorrhea, nasal
congestion, and sometimes a nonproductive cough. An attack may be
precipitated by inhalation of an allergen (such as dust, pollen, or animal
dander). The foreign material interacts with mast cells coated with IgE
generated in response to a previous allergen exposure.
Antihistamines
Corticosteroids
α-Adrenergic agonists
Antihistamines
Oral antihistamines (H1 receptor) have a fast onset of action and are useful for the
management of symptoms of allergic rhinitis caused by histamine release, such as sneezing,
watery rhinorrhea, and itchy eyes/nose.

Corticosteroids
Intranasal corticosteroids, such as beclomethasone, budesonide, fluticasone, ciclesonide,
mometasone, and triamcinolone, are the most effective medications for treatment of allergic
rhinitis. With an onset of action that ranges from 3 to 36 hours after first dose, intranasal
corticosteroids improve sneezing, itching, rhinorrhea, and nasal congestion.
adverse effects of treatment are localized. These include nasal irritation, nosebleed, sore
throat, and, rarely, candidiasis.
α-Adrenergic agonists
Short-acting α-adrenergic agonists (“nasal decongestants”), such as phenylephrine,
constrict dilated arterioles in the nasal mucosa and reduce airway resistance. Longer-
acting oxymetazoline [OX-i-me-TAZ-oh-leen] is also available. When administered
intranasally, these drugs have a rapid onset of action and show few systemic effects.
However, intranasal formulations of α-adrenergic agonists should be used for no
longer than 3 days due to the risk of rebound nasal congestion (rhinitis
medicamentosa).
Drugs Used to Treat Cough
Coughing is an important defense mechanism of the respiratory system in
response to irritants and is a common reason for patients to seek medical
care. A troublesome cough may represent several etiologies, such as the
common cold, sinusitis, or an underlying chronic respiratory disease.

Opioids
Benzonatate
Opioids
Codeine [KOE-deen], an opioid, decreases the sensitivity of cough centers in
the central nervous system to peripheral stimuli and decreases mucosal
secretion. These therapeutic effects occur at doses lower than those required
for analgesia.
adverse effects, such as constipation, dysphoria, and fatigue

Benzonatate
Unlike the opioids, benzonatate [ben-ZOE-na-tate] suppresses the cough reflex
through peripheral action. It anesthetizes the stretch receptors located in the
respiratory passages, lungs, and pleura.
Adverse effects include dizziness, numbness of the tongue, mouth, and throat.
Thank You!