respiratory meds.

MDI

Metered Dose Inhaler

MDI (Metered Dose Inhaler) function

Consists of a small, pressured canister containing a medication that fits into a boot-shaped plastic shell. Perfect timing is necessary to use properly it is an inhaled aerosol, “pushes” medication into the lungs in short puffs while inhaling. A spacer can be used with this.

DPI

Dry Powder Inhaler

DPI (Dry Powder Inhaler) function

Inhalers that don't use a chemical propellant to push the medication out of the inhaler. Instead the medication is released by breathing in a deep fast breath.

Nebulizers

A machine that changes a liquid into medication into a fine mist for inhalation (aerosolized), delivered through a mouthpiece or mask. Often used by people who cannot use a MDI (babies, young children, disabled, severe asthma, or COPD).

Antihistamine

Prevents histamine from binding to H1 receptors which are responsible for symptoms of allergies (sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes). 2 generations.

How does First-Generation Antihistamine (Classification) work

Blocks histamine, but also affects other brain functions, causing drowsiness.

Key Notes of First-Generation Antihistamine (Classification)

Used for allergies, itching, sleep. Causes significant sedation and anticholinergic effects (dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, etc.).

How does Second-Generation Antihistamine (Classification) work

Blocks histamine, with less effect on the brain, causing less drowsiness.

Key Notes of Second-Generation Antihistamine (Classification)

Used for allergies. Less sedating than first-generation.

Generic Name of Benadryl

Diphenhydramine

Trade Name of Diphenhydramine

Benadryl

Diphenhydramine/Benadryl Classification

First-Generation Antihistamine

Diphenhydramine/Benadryl Indication

Allergic reactions, insomnia, motion sickness, cough suppression (also the active ingredient in “PM” medications)

Diphenhydramine/Benadryl Notes

Causes significant drowsiness, anticholinergic side effects (dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation). Can impair cognitive function and coordination. Avoid in elderly patients. OTC

Trade Name of Cetirizine

Zyrtec

Generic Name of Zyrtec

Cetirizine

Cetirizine/Zyrtec Classification

Second-Generation Antihistamine

Cetirizine/Zyrtec Indication

Allergic rhinitis, urticaria (hives)

Cetirizine/Zyrtec Notes

Less sedating than first-generation antihistamines. Can still cause some drowsiness in some individuals. OTC

Trade Name of Loratadine

Claritin

Generic Name of Claritin

Loratadine

Loratadine/Claritin Classification

Second-Generation Antihistamine

Loratadine/Claritin Indication

Allergies

Loratadine/Claritin Notes

OTC

Trade Name of Levocetirizine

Xyzal

Generic Name of Xyzal

Levocetirizine

Levocetirizine/Xyzal Classification

Second-Generation Antihistamine

Levocetirizine/Xyzal Indication

Allergies

Levocetirizine/Xyzal Notes

Rx and OTC

Trade Name of Fexofenadine

Allegra

Generic Name of Allegra

Fexofenadine

Fexofenadine/Allegra Classification

Second-Generation Antihistamine

Fexofenadine/Allegra Indication

Allergies

Fexofenadine/Allegra Notes

OTC

How does Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist (Classification) work

Blocks the action of leukotrienes, substances that cause inflammation and airway narrowing.

Key Notes of Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist (Classification)

Used for asthma and allergies. Helps prevent asthma symptoms.

Trade Name of Montelukast

Singulair

Generic Name of Singulair

Montelukast

Montelukast/Singulair Classification

Leukotriene receptor antagonist

Montelukast/Singulair Indication

Allergies/asthma

Montelukast/Singulair Notes

Rx only

How does Corticosteroid (Classification) work

Reduces inflammation in airways

Key Notes of Corticosteroid (Classification)

Used for asthma and other inflammatory conditions. Can have systemic side effects with long-term use.

Trade Name of Flonase/Flovent

Fluticasone

Generic Name of Fluticasone

Flonase/Flovent

Fluticasone/Flonase/Flovent Classification

Corticosteroid

Fluticasone/Flonase/Flovent Indication

Allergies/Asthma

Fluticasone/Flonase/Flovent Notes

MDI inhalation, Rx only; nasal sprays are OTC

Trade Name of Budesonide

Pulmicort, Rhinocort

Generic Name of Pulmicort/Rhinocort

Budesonide

Budesonide/Pulmicort/Rhinocort Classification

Corticosteroid

Budesonide/Pulmicort/Rhinocort Indication

Allergies/Asthma

Budesonide/Pulmicort/Rhinocort Notes

Nasal inhaler, Rx only

Trade Name of Mometasone

Nasonex, Asmanex

Generic Name of Nasonex/Asmanex

Mometasone

Mometasone/Nasonex/Asmanex Classification

Corticosteroid

Mometasone/Nasonex/Asmanex Indication

Allergies/Asthma

Mometasone/Nasonex/Asmanex Notes

Nasal inhaler, Rx only, nasal sprays are OTC

Trade Name of Beclomethasone

Qvar, Beconase AQ

Generic Name of Qvar/Beconase AQ

Beclomethasone

Beclomethasone/Qvar/Beconase AQ Classification

Corticosteroid

Beclomethasone/Qvar/Beconase AQ Indication

Allergies/Asthma

Beclomethasone/Qvar/Beconase AQ Notes

Nasal inhaler, Rx only

How does Adrenergic Bronchodilators (Classification) work

Relaxes the muscles in the airways

Key Notes of Adrenergic Bronchodilators (Classification)

A broad category that includes beta-agonists, primarily used as needed for acute symptom relief or as a "pre-treatment" to prevent exercise-induced bronchoconstriction.

Trade Name of Albuterol

ProAir, Proventil, Ventolin

Generic Name of ProAir/Proventil/Ventolin

Albuterol

Albuterol/ProAir/Proventil/Ventolin Classification

Adrenergic Bronchodilators

Albuterol/ProAir/Proventil/Ventolin Indication

Acute asthma, bronchospasm, exercise-induced asthma

Albuterol/ProAir/Proventil/Ventolin Notes

MDI inhalation

How does Long-acting Beta (and Beta-2) Adrenergic Agonist, LABA (Classification) work

Long-lasting bronchodilator. Relaxes airway muscles for extended periods.

Key Notes of Long-acting Beta (and Beta-2) Adrenergic Agonist, LABA (Classification)

Used for asthma and COPD. Always used in combination with an inhaled corticosteroid in asthma.

How does Short acting Beta-Adrenergic Agonist, SABA (Classification) work

Relaxing bronchial smooth muscles

Key Notes of Short acting Beta-Adrenergic Agonist, SABA (Classification)

Fasting-acting, “rescue” inhaler medication, quickly relieves asthma and COPD symptoms like wheezing, chest tightness, and breathlessness

Trade Name of Fluticasone/Salmeterol

Advair

Generic Name of Advair

Fluticasone/Salmeterol

Fluticasone/Salmeterol/Advair Classification

Corticosteroid/Long-acting beta-adrenergic agonist

Fluticasone/Salmeterol/Advair Indication

Asthma/COPD

Fluticasone/Salmeterol/Advair Notes

Combination DPI inhaler (HINT

Trade Name of Albuterol/Budesonide

AirSupra

Generic Name of AirSupra

Albuterol/Budesonide

Albuterol/Budesonide/AirSupra Classification

Short acting-beta adrenergic agonist/Corticosteroid

Albuterol/Budesonide/AirSupra Indication

Asthma

Albuterol/Budesonide/AirSupra Notes

Combination MDI rescue inhaler, treats or prevents bronchospasm and reduces attack risks

How does Bronchodilator (Classification) work

Relaxes the muscles in the airways, making breathing easier

Key Notes of Bronchodilator (Classification)

Used for Asthma and COPD

Trade Name of Serevent

Salmeterol

Generic Name of Salmeterol

Serevent

Salmeterol/Serevent Classification

Bronchodilator - Lasting-acting Beta-2 Adrenergic Agonist

Salmeterol/Serevent Indication

Asthma/COPD

Salmeterol/Serevent Notes

Relaxes airway muscles making it easier to breath

How does Short-acting Anticholinergic (Classification) work

Quickly opens airways by blocking a substance that causes them to tighten

Key Notes of Short-acting Anticholinergic (Classification)

Used for COPD, and sometimes asthma. Provides rapid relief

Trade Name of Ipratropium

Atrovent

Generic Name of Atrovent

Ipratropium

Ipratropium/Atrovent Classification

Short-acting anticholinergic

Ipratropium/Atrovent Indication

COPD, nasal congestion

Ipratropium/Atrovent Notes

Rx only, MDI & nebulizer

How does Long-acting Anticholinergic (Classification) work

Long-lasting bronchodilator. Keeps airways open for extended periods