Basic Respiratory Medications for First-Year Respiratory Therapy Students

Drug Class: Short-acting ẞ2 agonist (SABA)
Primary Use: Bronchodilation for asthma, COPD, acute bronchospasm
Onset/Duration:
- Onset: 5-15 minutes
- Duration: 3-6 hours
Key Notes for RT Students:
- Can cause increased heart rate (HR) and tremors.
- It is considered a rescue medication, used in acute situations to relieve symptoms quickly.

Drug Class: Short-acting ẞ2 agonist (SABA)
Primary Use: Bronchodilation for reversible airway obstruction
Onset/Duration:
- Onset: 5-10 minutes
- Duration: 3-6 hours
Key Notes for RT Students:
- Has fewer cardiac side effects compared to albuterol, making it preferable for patients with heart conditions.

Drug Class: Anticholinergic (SAMA)
Primary Use: COPD maintenance bronchodilation
Onset/Duration:
- Onset: 15-20 minutes
- Duration: 4-6 hours
Key Notes for RT Students:
- Used alone or in combination with other medications for managing COPD.

Drug Class: SABA + SAMA
Primary Use: Severe bronchospasm, COPD exacerbation
Onset/Duration:
- Onset: Rapid
- Duration: Up to 6 hours
Key Notes for RT Students:
- Commonly used in emergency rooms and acute care settings for rapid relief of symptoms.

Drug Class: Long-acting ẞ2 agonist (LABA)
Primary Use: Long-term bronchodilation for asthma and COPD maintenance
Onset/Duration:
- Onset: 20 minutes
- Duration: 12 hours
Key Notes for RT Students:
- Not used for acute distress; it is primarily for maintenance therapy and is always paired with a steroid to enhance its effect and reduce the risk of asthma-related complications.

Drug Class: Long-acting ẞ2 agonist (LABA)
Primary Use: Bronchodilation
Onset/Duration:
- Onset: 3-5 minutes
- Duration: 12 hours
Key Notes for RT Students:
- Typically delivered through nebulization; frequently used in the COPD management regimen.

Drug Class: Inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)
Primary Use: Decreases airway inflammation
Onset/Duration:
- Onset: Slow
- Duration: Used for maintenance therapy
Key Notes for RT Students:
- Patients should rinse their mouth after use to prevent thrush, a common side effect associated with inhaled corticosteroids.

Drug Class: Inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) + Long-acting ẞ2 agonist (LABA)
Primary Use: Long-term asthma/COPD control
Onset/Duration:
- Long-acting; provides maintenance dosing for chronic conditions.
Key Notes for RT Students:
- Effective for managing symptoms in chronic cases of asthma and COPD.

Drug Class: Anticholinergic (LAMA)
Primary Use: Long-term bronchodilation
Onset/Duration:
- Continuous action for maintaining open airways in COPD patients.

Drug Class: Mucolytic
Primary Use: Breakdown of thick secretions; aids in mucus clearance
Onset/Duration:
- Immediate onset of action
Key Notes for RT Students:
- Used in scenarios where mucus build-up could obstruct airways and impede breathing.

Drug Class: Alpha/Beta agonist
Primary Use: Treatment of croup and post-extubation stridor
Onset/Duration:
- Rapid onset of action
- Duration: Approximately 12 hours
Key Notes for RT Students:
- Commonly used as a controller medication, benefitting from once-daily dosing which reduces exacerbations.
- Notable for its strong odor; often administered alongside bronchodilators.
- Caution is necessary for potential rebound swelling as a side effect; typically has a short duration of action.

Common Characteristics:
- Medications vary by drug class—some are short-acting while others are long-acting.
- Proper understanding of onset and duration is essential in determining the timing of administration for optimal therapeutic effects.