Copyright © 2017 Wolters Kluwer • All Rights Reserved Drugs Used to Treat Upper Respiratory Infections Drugs Used to Treat Upper Respiratory Infections • Antitussives – Block the cough reflex • Decongestants – Decrease the blood flow to the upper respiratory tract and decrease the overproduction of secretions • Antihistamines – Block the release or action of histamine that increases secretions and narrows airways

Copyright © 2017 Wolters Kluwer • All Rights Reserved Drugs Used to Treat Upper Respiratory Infections (cont.) Drugs Used to Treat Upper Respiratory Infections (cont.) • Expectorants – Increase productive cough to clear airways • Mucolytics – Increase or liquefy respiratory secretions to aid clearing of airways

Copyright © 2017 Wolters Kluwer • All Rights Reserved Antitussives Antitussives • Suppress the cough reflex – Codeine (generic only) – Hydrocodone (available in some combination products) – Dextromethorphan (generic and in combination products)

Copyright © 2017 Wolters Kluwer • All Rights Reserved Antitussives Antitussives • Actions – Act directly on the medullary cough center of the brain to depress the cough reflex • Indications – Control nonproductive cough • Pharmacokinetics – Rapidly absorbed, metabolized in the liver, and excreted in the urine

Copyright © 2017 Wolters Kluwer • All Rights Reserved Antitussives (cont.) Antitussives (cont.) • Contraindications – Patients who need to cough to maintain the airway – Head injury or impaired CNS • Caution – Hypersensitivity or history of narcotic addiction • Adverse Effects – Drying effect on the mucous membranes – CNS adverse effects and GI upset • Drug-to-drug interactions- MAOI’s

Copyright © 2017 Wolters Kluwer • All Rights Reserved Nursing Considerations for Antitussives Nursing Considerations for Antitussives • Assess: – History and Physical Exam and history of allergy – Temperature, respirations, adventitious sounds – Orientation and affect

Copyright © 2017 Wolters Kluwer • All Rights Reserved Oral Decongestants Oral Decongestants • Decrease nasal congestion related to the common cold, sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis - Pseudoephedrine ( Triaminic Allergy Congestion , and many combination products)

Copyright © 2017 Wolters Kluwer • All Rights Reserved Oral Decongestants Oral Decongestants • Actions – Shrink the nasal mucous membrane by stimulating the alpha-adrenergic receptors in the nasal mucous membranes • Indications – Promotion of drainage in the sinuses and improving air flow •