From Textbook (Lung Drugs Vocabulary) - Unit 8: The Respiratory System

antibiotic drugs

Treat respiratory infections caused by bacteria. Antibiotic drugs are not effective against viral respiratory infections. Examples: ampicillin (Principen), amoxicillin (Amoxil), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), ceftriaxone (Rocephin)

antitubercular drugs

Treat tuberculosis. Several of these drugs must be used together in combination to be effective. Examples: isoniazid (INH), ethambutol (Myambutol), rifampin (Rifadin)

antitussive drugs

Suppress the cough center in the brain. They are used to treat chronic bronchitis and nonproductive coughs. Some of these contain a narcotic drug. Examples: dextromethorphan (Robitusson), hydrocodone (Hycodan)

antiviral drugs

Prevent and treat influenza virus infection in at-risk patients with asthma or lung disease. Examples: oseltamivir (Tamiflu)

bronchodilator drugs

Dilate constricted airways by relaxing the smooth muscles that surround the bronchioles. They are used to treat asthma, COPD, emphysema, and cystic fibrosis. They are given orally or inhaled through a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) (see Figure 4-24). When a bronchodilator drug is given through an inhaler to treat the symptoms of an acute asthma attack, it is known as a rescue inhaler. Examples: albuterol (Proventil), salmeterol (Serevent), theophylline (Elixophyllin), tiotropium (Spiriva)

corticosteroid drugs

Block the immune system from causing inflammation in the lung. They are used to treat asthma and COPD. They are given by a metered-dose inhaler, orally, or intravenously. Examples: fluticasone (Flovent), mometasone (Asmanex), prednisolone (Orapred)

expectorant drugs

Reduce the thickness of sputum so that it can be coughed up. They are used to treat productive coughs. Examples: guaifenesin (Mucinex)

leukotriene receptor blocker drugs

Block leukotriene, which causes inflammation and edema. They are used to treat asthma. Examples: montelukast (Singulair)

mast cell stabilizer drugs

Stabilize mast cells and prevent them from releasing histamine that causes bronchospasm during an allergic reaction. They are used to treat asthma. Examples: cromolyn (Intal)

stop smoking drugs

Bind to nicotine receptors and prevent them from being activated by nicotine from smoking (see Figure 4-25). Examples: nicotine (NicoDerm CQ), varenicline (Chanitx)