Respiratory Meds Cheat Sheet

Class Drug Uses Side Effects Considerations Fexofenadine (Allegra) Cetirizine (Zyrtec) Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) Loratadine (Claritin) ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ Inflammation Allergies Drug reactions Cold/flu Drowsiness, dry mouth, blurred vision, hypotension, tachycardia, difficulty urinating, constipation, mucous thickening in airways ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ Avoid alcohol/ CNS depressants With Fexofenadine avoid erythromycin/ ketoconazole Take antacids 2-3hr before these meds Monitor for urinary retention Dextromethorphan (Robitussin) Benzonatate (Tessalon) ¨ ¨ Cough Cold symptoms N/V, shakiness, decreased respirations, nervousness, irritability, blurred vision, difficulty urinating ¨ ¨ ¨ Do not use in head injury/ impaired CNS Avoid in those with hx of narcotic addiction Do not use longer than 1 week Bronchodilators Albuterol (Proair/ Ventolin) Levalbuterol (Xopenex) Epinephrine Formoterol (Preformist) Ipratropium (Atrovent) Tiotropium (Spiriva) Theophylline (Theo 24) ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ Asthma COPD/ emphysema Allergic reactions Cough/congestion Tachycardia, dry mouth, muscle pain, cough, insomnia, dizziness, palpitations, HTN, blurred vision, anxiety, confusion ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ Avoid in HTN, CAD, hx of CVA Use caution in DM, can cause ketoacidosis Avoid caffeine Theophylline can cause CNS toxicity Do not use in cerebrovascular disease ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ Asthma COPD Pneumonia Allergic reaction Cystic fibrosis ARDS Redistribution of body fat (moon face/ buffalo hump), hyperglycemia, fluid retention, HTN, hypokalemia, GI bleed ¨ ¨ Corticosteroids Budesonide (Pulmicort) Beclomethasone (Qvar) Fluticasone (Flovent) Avoid grapefruit juice Can cause muscle wasting and osteoporosis in long term use Do not stop abruptly Rinse mouth after inhaled use Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) Phenylephrine (Sudogest PE) ¨ ¨ ¨ Cold/ allergies Rhinitis Sinus congestion Dizziness, headache, nervousness, tremors, tachycardia, insomnia, irritability Guaifenesin (Mucinex) Potassium iodide (iOSTAT) ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ Asthma Chronic bronchitis COPD Cold/flu Excessive salivation, GI upset, irregular heartbeat, numbness/ tingling of hands and feet, skin sores, sore gums ¨ Use caution in elderly & renal disease Potassium iodide can cause hypothyroidism in children Do not use more than 1 week in colds/flu Montelukast (Singulair) ¨ ¨ ¨ Asthma Allergies Rhinitis Dry mouth, hoarsness, body aches, fever, drowsiness, tender/ swollen neck glands, trouble swallowing, stuffy/ runny nose ¨ ¨ ¨ Can cause neuromuscular problems/ affect gait Monitor liver function/ avoid in liver disease Take at same time daily/ do not stop abruptly ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ COPD/ emphysema Respiratory infections Chronic bronchitis Colds Increased cough, N/V, mouth sores, fever, runny nose, sweating, drowsiness ¨ ¨ ¨ Do not use in acute bronchospasm Use caution in those with PUD/ esophageal varices Do not mix with other drugs in nebulizer ¨ ¨ COPD N/V/D, weight loss, HA, dizziness, insomnia, tremors, irregular heartbeat Monitor for increased depression/ suicidal ideations/ mental status changes Monitor for muscle spasms/ tremor/ abnormal gait Monitor weight regularly Antihistamines Antitussives ¨ ¨ ¨ Decongestants Expectorants Leukotriene modifiers Mu Selective phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors Acetylcysteine (Mucomyst) Roflumilast (Daliresp) ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ Do not use longer than 3-5 days (can cause rebound congestion) Avoid in HTN, CAD, glaucoma Do not mix with other OTC cold/ flu/ allergy products