Respiratory Agents Overview

A medication that thins pulmonary secretions, making it easier to cough up.

Includes the nasal cavity, pharynx, and larynx.

A medication that suppresses coughs.

A respiratory condition causing heightened airway reactivity, resulting in airway narrowing.

A severe, acute asthma attack unresponsive to typical treatments.

Medication that widens bronchial airways.

A drug mimicking the effects of the sympathetic nervous system, often for bronchodilation.

A receptor in lungs that contributes to bronchoconstriction (bronchiole tightening).

Bronchodilators that relax the airways by stimulating beta-2 receptors.

Short-acting beta-2 agonists, used to treat sudden asthma attacks.

Long-acting beta-2 agonists, used for long-term prevention of asthma.

Bronchodilators that relax the airways, but are rarely used due to more potent and safer options.

Bronchodilators that block acetylcholine receptors in the airways, causing bronchodilation.

Anti-inflammatory drugs that reduce inflammation in the airways.

A new class of asthma drugs that block leukotrienes, decreasing inflammation.

Assessing respiratory status, liver function tests, and using bronchodilators before corticosteroids are crucial for asthma patients.

Drugs that suppress appetite by acting on the hypothalamus.

Drugs that stimulate the central nervous system (CNS), primarily used to stimulate breathing.

Substances that increase the rate of neuronal activity in the central nervous system.

CNS stimulants that increase norepinephrine release.

Part of the nervous system comprising the brain and spinal cord.

Part of the nervous system responsible for the voluntary and involuntary control of the body.

Part of peripheral nervous system that controls involuntary functions.

Part of the autonomic nervous system; known as the "fight-or-flight" response.

Drugs that produce calmness and sleepiness.

A type of sedative-hypnotic that decreases synaptic activity in the brain, causing CNS depression.

Sedative-hypnotics that increase GABA levels in the brain, resulting in a calming effect.

A sleep disorder characterized by sudden and recurring sleep attacks.

The loss of sensation, often consciousness, used in surgery.

A type of anesthesia that causes reversible loss of consciousness

A rapid-acting anesthetic administered intravenously used for short surgical procedures. Can cause respiratory depression.

Obesity caused by dysfunction of endocrine systems, not dietary or lifestyle.

Antidepressants work by affecting neurotransmitters like GABA and serotonin, either increasing their concentration or inhibiting their reuptake.

Second-line antidepressants that inhibit MAO enzymes, affecting neurotransmitter levels.

Antidepressants that primarily target serotonin reuptake, increasing serotonin levels at the synapse.

Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid - the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain.

Anxiolytics work by enhancing the effects of GABA, a key inhibitory neurotransmitter. This helps calm the nervous system.

Forcible expulsion of gastric contents via the mouth. Stimulated by various triggers.

Disruption of the stomach lining's integrity, often due to inflammation.

Drugs that neutralize stomach acid by chemical reaction.

Abnormally liquid or unformed stools, with fecal output exceeding 200 grams per day on a low-fiber diet.

Persistent, difficult defecation.

Substances used to stimulate bowel movements.

Natural, fibrous substances that increase stool bulk, promoting easier passage.

Lubricant laxatives; lower surface tension, allowing water to accumulate in stool.

Stimulate nerve plexus in the intestinal wall, increasing bowel movements.

Possible negative consequences of laxative use, including rebound acidity, constipation, diarrhea, fluid retention, and milk-alkali syndrome.

Drugs that selectively block histamine H2 receptors. Used to treat acidity problems.