Common Agents Used in Respiratory Therapy — Vocabulary Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering the major drug groups and representative agents listed in the lecture notes on common agents used in respiratory therapy.

B-Adrenergic agents

Bronchodilators that relax bronchial smooth muscle via beta-adrenergic receptors, reducing airway resistance and improving ventilatory flow in obstruction from COPD, asthma, CF, and acute bronchitis.

Albuterol

A short-acting beta-2 adrenergic agonist that relaxes bronchial smooth muscle and provides bronchodilation.

Arformoterol

A long-acting beta-2 adrenergic agonist used for maintenance bronchodilation.

Formoterol

A long-acting beta-2 adrenergic agonist used for ongoing bronchodilation and maintenance therapy.

Indacaterol

An ultra-long-acting beta-2 adrenergic agonist providing extended bronchodilation for maintenance.

Levalbuterol

The R-isomer of albuterol; a short-acting beta-2 adrenergic agonist for quick bronchodilation.

Metaproterenol

A beta-adrenergic agonist that stimulates beta-2 receptors to cause bronchodilation.

a-Adrenergic agents

Topical vasoconstrictors and decongestants used to treat upper airway swelling.

Racemic epinephrine

Nonselective adrenergic agonist (alpha and beta) used for topical vasoconstriction to reduce airway swelling.

Anticholinergic agents

Bronchodilators that block acetylcholine effects to reduce bronchoconstriction and improve ventilatory flow in COPD and asthma.

Aclidinium bromide

Long-acting muscarinic antagonist (anticholinergic) used for bronchodilation in COPD.

Glycopyrrolate bromide

Muscarinic antagonist (anticholinergic) used as a bronchodilator in COPD.

Ipratropium bromide

Short-acting muscarinic antagonist providing bronchodilation for COPD and asthma.

Tiotropium bromide

Long-acting muscarinic antagonist used for maintenance bronchodilation in COPD.

Umeclidinium bromide

Long-acting muscarinic antagonist used for maintenance bronchodilation in COPD.

Mucoactive agents

Agents that modify properties of respiratory tract mucus to reduce viscosity and promote clearance.

Acetylcysteine

Mucolytic that decreases mucus viscosity to facilitate clearance.

Dornase alfa

Recombinant DNase that cleaves DNA in mucus, reducing viscosity and improving clearance.

Hyperosmolar saline

Hypertonic saline that mobilizes secretions by osmotically drawing water into mucus.

Mannitol

Inhaled osmotic agent that enhances mucus clearance by increasing airway hydration.

Corticosteroids

Anti-inflammatory agents that reduce airway inflammation in asthma (lower airways) and rhinitis (upper airways).

Beclomethasone dipropionate

Inhaled corticosteroid with anti-inflammatory effects for asthma prevention.

Budesonide

Inhaled corticosteroid used to reduce airway inflammation in asthma and COPD.

Ciclesonide

Inhaled corticosteroid with anti-inflammatory effects for asthma control.

Fluticasone furoate

Inhaled corticosteroid used for anti-inflammatory control in asthma and COPD.

Fluticasone propionate

Inhaled corticosteroid used to reduce airway inflammation in asthma and COPD.

Mometasone furoate

Inhaled corticosteroid for anti-inflammatory control of asthma.

Antiasthmatic agents

Medications that prevent or reduce asthmatic responses by inhibiting inflammatory mediators or stabilizing membranes.

Cromolyn sodium

Mast cell stabilizer used to prevent the release of inflammatory mediators in allergy- or exercise-induced asthma.

Benralizumab

Monoclonal antibody targeting IL-5 receptor to reduce eosinophilic inflammation in severe asthma.

Mepolizumab

Monoclonal antibody targeting IL-5 to reduce eosinophilic inflammation in severe asthma.

Montelukast

Leukotriene receptor antagonist that blocks leukotriene-mediated inflammation and bronchoconstriction.

Omalizumab

Monoclonal antibody against IgE used for allergic asthma with persistent symptoms.

Relizumab

Monoclonal antibody (as listed) used in asthma therapy; profile similar to other anti-IL-5/IgE agents in reducing inflammation.

Zafirlukast

Leukotriene receptor antagonist used to prevent asthma symptoms and improve control.

Zileuton

5-lipoxygenase inhibitor that reduces leukotriene synthesis and helps control asthma.

Antiinfective agents

Drugs that inhibit or eradicate infectious agents; include antibiotics, antivirals, and related agents.

Aztreonam

Monobactam antibiotic active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, used in CF and other infections.

Pentamidine

Drug used to treat Pneumocystis jiroveci infections.

Ribavirin

Antiviral agent used for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections and other viral illnesses.

Tobramycin

Aminoglycoside antibiotic active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, used in CF and bronchiectasis.

Zanamivir

Neuraminidase inhibitor used to treat influenza A and B infections.

Exogenous surfactants

Surfactants administered directly into the trachea to restore normal lung compliance in neonatal RDS.

Beractant

Natural surfactant used to treat neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).

Calfactant

Natural surfactant used to treat neonatal RDS.

Lucinactant

Synthetic surfactant used to treat neonatal RDS.

Poractant alfa

Natural surfactant used to treat neonatal RDS.

Prostacyclin analogs

Drugs that mimic prostacyclin to vasodilate and reduce pulmonary arterial pressure in pulmonary hypertension.

Iloprost

Prostacyclin analog used to treat pulmonary hypertension and improve symptoms.

Treprostinil

Prostacyclin analog used to treat pulmonary hypertension and improve exercise tolerance.