meds for asthma, cystic fibrosis, and copd

• Bronchodilators are used to treat COPD.
• Nebulizers convert liquid medication into a mist that is inhaled.
• Bronchodilators are used to treat bronchospasm.
• Dry powder inhalers (DPIs) contain powdered medication that the user inhales into the lungs.
• Metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) deliver a specific amount of medication with each actuation.
• metaproterenol, levalbuterol, and albuterol are short acting beta 2 bronchodilators that open the airways and stimulate secretions
• salmeterol and formoterol are long acting beta 2 bronchodilators that open the airways and stimulate secretions
• corticosteroids reduce inflammation, prevent asthma attacks, and decrease mucus production
• mucolytics increase drainage of mucus from the lungs
• anticholinergics block parasympathetic activity to relax smooth muscle and dilate air passages
• guaifenesin is an expectorant that thins mucus, it is used for bronchitis and bronchiolitis
• theophylline is a bronchodilator that is used to treat asthma; it's important to assess for toxicity when administering this medication
• acetylcysteine and dornase alfa are mucolytics that increase mucus drainage
• aminophylline, theophylline, dyphylline, caffeine, formeterol, and salmeterol are long-acting bronchodilators (LABAs) and should never be given during an acute asthma attack
• mast cell stabilizers, like cromolyn sodium and nedocromil, and leukotriene modifiers, like zafirlukast, montelukast, and zileuton, should not be used during acute asthma attacks
• factors that decrease theophylline levels are smoking, phenobarbital and dilantin, char-broiled beef, and a high-protein low-carb diet
• factors that increase theophylline levels are caffeine, viral infections, oral contraceptives, flu vaccine, and a high-carb low-protein diet
• Some bacteria in cystic fibrosis may require the use of potent antibiotics like vancomycin, tobramycin, meropenem, ciprofloxacin, and piperacillin. These must be used sparingly to avoid ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity because of long-term use
• before administering any meds in any respiratory condition, you must first administer a bronchodilator to open the airways and ensure the other meds will reach the lungs
• ribavirin and virazole are antivirals used for RSV