Respiratory Medications - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the respiratory pharmacotherapy lecture.

Asthma

Chronic inflammatory airway disease with reversible obstruction and bronchial hyperresponsiveness; triggers include allergens, cold air, exercise, and stress.

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema; characterized by persistent airflow limitation often progressive and associated with inflammation.

Allergic rhinitis

Inflammation of the nasal mucosa due to allergens (pollens, mold, dust mites) with symptoms such as sneezing, itching, and rhinorrhea.

Upper respiratory disorders

Disorders affecting the nose, sinuses, pharynx (e.g., allergic rhinitis, nasal infections, sinusitis).

Pulmonary disorders

Lung diseases such as asthma, COPD, pneumonia, and pulmonary fibrosis.

Anti-inflammatory medications

Drugs that reduce airway inflammation (e.g., corticosteroids, cromolyn, leukotriene inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies) to prevent asthma symptoms.

Bronchodilators

Drugs that relax bronchial smooth muscle to relieve bronchospasm (e.g., β2 agonists, anticholinergics, methylxanthines.

Corticosteroids

Glucocorticoids; potent anti-inflammatory agents used in asthma and allergic rhinitis; can be given inhaled (preferred) or systemic for severe disease.

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS)

Corticosteroids delivered by inhalation to reduce airway inflammation with lower systemic exposure; cornerstone for long-term asthma control.

Metered-dose inhaler (MDI)

Inhaler device delivering a set dose of medication per actuation; proper technique and spacer use improve delivery.

Spacer

Device used with MDIs to improve medication deposition in the lungs and reduce oropharyngeal deposition.

Mast cell stabilizers

Drugs (e.g., cromolyn, nedocromil) that stabilize mast cell membranes to prevent degranulation and release of inflammatory mediators.

Cromolyn sodium

Mast cell stabilizer used prophylactically in asthma and allergic rhinitis; inhaled with minimal systemic absorption.

Nedocromil

Mast cell stabilizer similar to cromolyn; used prophylactically in asthma and allergic conditions.

Lodoxamide

Mast cell stabilizer used principally as an ophthalmic solution for allergic conjunctivitis.

Leukotriene receptor antagonists

Block leukotriene receptors (e.g., Montelukast, Zafirlukast) to reduce inflammation and bronchoconstriction; oral agents.

Montelukast

Leukotriene receptor antagonist; oral; helps prevent allergic and exercise-induced asthma; potential neuropsychiatric adverse effects.

Zafirlukast

Leukotriene receptor antagonist; oral; used in asthma management.

Zileuton

5-lipoxygenase inhibitor; blocks leukotriene synthesis; oral.

Omalizumab

Anti-IgE monoclonal antibody; binds free IgE; subcutaneous every 2–4 weeks; add-on therapy for moderate-to-severe allergic asthma.

Mepolizumab

anti-IL-5 monoclonal antibody; reduces eosinophils; subcutaneous every 4 weeks; for severe eosinophilic asthma.

Reslizumab

Anti-IL-5 monoclonal antibody; intravenous every 4 weeks; for eosinophilic asthma; boxed warning for anaphylaxis and potential malignancy risk.

Roflumilast

PDE4 inhibitor; anti-inflammatory; used in severe COPD; reduces neutrophils/eosinophils and can improve FEV1; not a bronchodilator.

PDE4 inhibitors

Inhibit PDE4 to raise cAMP, producing anti-inflammatory effects; include roflumilast in COPD management.

Theophylline

Methylxanthine bronchodilator with bronchodilating and CNS effects; narrow therapeutic index; monitored levels (5–15 mg/L) with drug interactions (e.g., CYP1A2 inhibitors).

Dextromethorphan

D-isomer of a morphinan; non-sedating opioid-like antitussive used OTC to suppress cough.

Codeine

Opioid antitussive with strong cough-suppressing effects but risk of CNS depression and dependence.

Hydrocodone

Opioid antitussive; used in combination cough preparations; risk of CNS effects and dependence.

Benzonatate

Tessalon; non-narcotic antitussive that anesthetizes stretch receptors in the respiratory tract.

Guaifenesin

Expectorant; reduces mucus adhesiveness to facilitate coughing; mechanism not fully understood.

Short-acting beta-2 agonists (SABA)

Rescue bronchodilators with rapid onset; albuterol and levalbuterol are common examples.

Albuterol

SABA; inhaled bronchodilator providing rapid relief of bronchospasm; may cause tachycardia and tremor.

Levalbuterol

R-enantiomer of albuterol; similar efficacy with potential for fewer cardiac side effects.

Long-acting beta-2 agonists (LABA)

Bronchodilators with prolonged effect for chronic prevention; should be used with inhaled corticosteroids in asthma.

Salmeterol

LABA; inhaled twice daily; prevents nocturnal symptoms; not for initial asthma therapy.

Formoterol

LABA; inhaled; rapid onset with long duration; used for maintenance and often combined with ICS.

Arformoterol

Active enantiomer of formoterol; LABA used in COPD.

Indacaterol

Ultra-LABA; once-daily bronchodilator for COPD.

LABA boxed warning

Black-box warning: LABAs used as monotherapy in asthma may increase risk of asthma-related death; combos with ICS mitigate risk.

Muscarinic receptor antagonists

Anticholinergic bronchodilators; block acetylcholine-induced bronchoconstriction; includes SAMA and LAMA for COPD.

Ipratropium

Short-acting muscarinic antagonist (SAMA); inhaled bronchodilator; slower onset but useful with SABA and for rhinitis nasal spray.

Tiotropium

Long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA); inhaled; first-line maintenance therapy for COPD; 24-hour bronchodilation.

Umeclidinium

LAMA; inhaled; often combined with vilanterol (and sometimes fluticasone) for once-daily COPD maintenance.

Aclidinium

LAMA; inhaled; maintenance COPD therapy.

Combivent

Combination inhaler of albuterol (SABA) and ipratropium (SAMA); enhances bronchodilation in COPD.

Intranasal corticosteroids

Nasal corticosteroid sprays (e.g., budesonide, fluticasone) for allergic rhinitis; effective anti-inflammatory therapy with few adverse effects.

Pseudoephedrine

Oral decongestant; vasoconstrictor used to relieve nasal congestion; often behind the counter due to abuse potential.

Phenylephrine

Oral decongestant; vasoconstrictor; widely available; variable efficacy and cardiovascular effects.

Antihistamines (H1 antagonists)

Block histamine H1 receptors; used for allergic rhinitis; examples: cetirizine, loratadine, fexofenadine (non-sedating); diphenhydramine (sedating).

Diphenhydramine

First-generation antihistamine; effective but sedating; best for nocturnal symptoms when other agents fail.

Ocular/topical anti-allergy agents

Cromolyn and lodoxamide in ocular forms prevent allergic conjunctivitis; topical decongestants and NSAIDs may be used for symptoms.

Viral rhinitis (common cold)

Self-limiting viral upper respiratory infection; management is supportive (acetaminophen/NSAIDs, decongestants, etc.).

Exacerbation

Acute worsening of asthma symptoms requiring intensified therapy (SABA, systemic steroids, oxygen).

FEV1

Forced expiratory volume in 1 second; key pulmonary function measure in asthma/COPD assessment.

Eosinophils

White blood cells involved in allergic inflammation; elevated in many asthma phenotypes and targeted by anti-IL-5 therapies.

Mast cells

Immune cells that release histamine and leukotrienes during allergic reactions, contributing to airway inflammation.

Histamine

Inflammatory mediator released by mast cells; contributes to bronchoconstriction, edema, and mucus production.

Leukotrienes

Arachidonic acid metabolites causing bronchoconstriction, mucus secretion, and inflammation; targeted by leukotriene inhibitors.