| Term | Definition |
| Tensilon | (Edrophonium)
Mode of action: Indirect acting cholinergic
A primary use: Diagnosing neuromuscular weakness due to Myasthenia Gravis
Timings: Very quick half life (10 min); very rapid onset |
| Methacholine | Mode of action: Direct acting cholinergic (same structure of acetylcholine)
A Primary use: Used diagnostically in Pulmonary Function to rule out Asthma |
| Cocaine | Mode of action: Indirect acting adrenergic
A primary use: Local vasoconstrictor and local anesthetic; rarely used for this purpose |
| Ventolin | (Salbutamol)
Mode of action: Direct acting B2 agonist
A primary use: A rescue Bronchodilator
Dosages: MDI = 100ug, Nebulue = 2.5-5.0mg
Timings: Onest = 5-15 min, Peak effect = 30-60 min, Duration 4-6 hours |
| Bricanyl | (Terbutaline)
Mode of action: Direct acting B2 agonist
A primuary use: Bronchodilator (not used that much)
Only comes in a dry powdered form (e.g. not able to give through a ventilator circuit) |
| Serevent | (Salmeterol)
Mode of action: Direct acting beta 2 agonist
A primary use: Maintenance therapy for Asthma and COPD
Timings: Lasts 12 hours; slower onset (15-20 mins) |
| Oxeze | (Formoterol)
Mode of action: Direct acting beta 2 agonist
A primary use: Maintenance therapy for COPD and Asthma. Possible reliever of acute symptoms as well due to is fast onset.
Timings: Quick onset (5 mins); 12 hour duration |
| Onbrez | (Indacaterol)
Mode of action: Direct acting beta 2 agonist
A primary use: Maintenance therapy in COPD and Asthma
Timings: 24 hr duration |
| Atrovent | (Ipratropium Bromide)
Mode of action: Direct acting Muscarinic Antagonist (E.g. Anti-cholinergic or Anti-muscainic)
A primary effect: Act as a short acting bronchodilator (reliever)
Timings: Onset 15-20 min; Peak effect 1-2 hours; Duration 4-6 hours |
| Combivent | Mode of action: SABA and SAMA
A combination of Ventolin and Atrovent
A primary use: Reliever for acute bronchoconstriction |
| Spiriva | (Tiotropium)
Mode of action: Direct acting competitive muscarinic antagonist
A primary effect: Bronchodilation (maintenance)
Timings: Long acting agent (24 hours); once daily dosing |
| Seebri | (Glycopyrronium)
Mode of action: Direct acting competitive muscarinic antagonist
A primary effect: Bronchodilation (Maintenance)
Timings: Long acting agent (24 hours); once daily dosing |
| Tudorza | (Aclidinium)
Mode of action: Direct acting competitive muscarinic antagonist
A primary effect: Bronchodilation (Maintenance)
Timings: Long acting agent with high enough dosing (12-24 hours); once or twice daily dosing |
| Incruse | (Umeclidinium):
Mode of action: Direct acting competitive muscarinic antagonist
A primary effect: Bronchodilation (Maintenance)
Timings: Long acting agent (24 hours); once daily dosing |
| Anoro | Combination LAMA + LABA
Vilanterol + Umeclidinium |
| Ultibro | Combination LAMA + LABA
Indacaterol + Glycopyrronium |
| Inspiolto | Combination LAMA + LABA
Olodaterol + Tiotropium |
| Duaklir | Combination LAMA + LABA
Formoterol + Aclidinium |
| Caffeine | Mode of action: Methylxanthine; increases central chemoreceptor sensitivity to CO2
A primary use: Treating apnea of prematurity |
| Theophylline | Mode of action: Methylxanthine; can inhibit Phospho-diesterase-enzyme and adenosine which increases cAMP
A primary use: Bronchodilation
Side effects: Low therapeutic index |
| Aminophylline | Mode of action: Methylxanthine; can inhibit Phospho-diesterase-enzyme and adenosine which increases cAMP
A primary use: Bronchodilation
Side effects: Easier to titrate dose compared to Theophylline as less potent |
| Cortef | (Hydrocortisone)
Mode of action: Acts on intracellular corticosteroid receptors.
A primary use: Systemic steroid. Used as a replacement in those with decreased normal production as it is similar to cortisol, |
| Prednisone | Mode of action: Acts on intracellular corticosteroid receptors. Uses many methods to produce anti-inflammatory effects
A primary use: Used in acute respiratory (asthma) exacerbations and to suppress auto-immune diseases. Very common. |
| Decadron | (Dexamethasone)
Mode of action: Acts on intracellular corticosteroid receptors. Uses many methods to produce anti-inflammatory effects
A primary use: Potent systemic steroid. Reserved for cases where quicker effects are needed. |
| Flovent | (Fluticasone Propionate)
Mode of action: Inhaled agent that acts on intracellular corticosteroid receptors. Uses many methods to produce anti-inflammatory effects
A primary use: Very common; used for maintenance of Asthma symptoms |
| Pulmicort | (Budesonide)
Mode of action: Inhaled agent that acts on intracellular corticosteroid receptors. Uses many methods to produce anti-inflammatory effects
A primary use: Maintenance of Asthma symptoms; can be nebilized. |
| Arnuity | (Fluticasone Furoate)
Mode of action: Inhaled agent that acts on intracellular corticosteroid receptors. Uses many methods to produce anti-inflammatory effects
A primary use: Maintenance of Asthma symptoms. Once daily dosing. |
| Alvesco | (Ciclesonide)
Mode of action: Inhaled agent. Is a Prodrug and is inactive until comes in contact with respiratory epithelium. Once in contact, is converted to effective corticosteroid
A primary use: Maintenance of Asthma symptoms. |
| Accolate | (Zafirlukast)
Mode of action: Leukotriene receptor antagonists; competitive antagonist
A primary use: And add-on therapy to reducing inflammation in Asthma |
| Singulair | (Montelukast)
Mode of action: Leukotriene receptor antagonists; competitive antagonist
A primary use: And add-on therapy to reducing inflammation in Asthma |
| Xolair | (Omalizumab)
Mode of action: Anti-IgE; binds to free circulating IgE which prevents it binding to mast cells
A primary use: Add on therapy to reduce inflammation in Asthma |
| Nucala | (Mepolizumab)
Mode of action: Anti-interleukin 5; binds to free circulating IL-5 which prevent its binding to receptors
A primary use: Add-on therapy to reduce inflammation in Asthma |
| Cinqair | (Reslizumab)
Mode of action: Anti-interleukin 5; binds to free circulating IL-5 which prevent its binding to receptors
A primary use: Add-on therapy to reduce inflammation in Asthma |
| Fasenra | (Benralizumab)
Mode of action: Anti-interleukin 5; competitively binds to IL-5 receptors
A primary use: Add-on therapy to reduce inflammation in Asthma |
| Daxas | (Roflumilast)
Mode of action: Phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor; blocks action of phosphodiesterase 4 which increases cAMP in some inflammatory cells
A primary use: Add-on therapy in reducing symptoms in those with severe COPD |
| Advair | Serevent & Fluticason
Combination LABA+ICS |
| Symbicort | Formoterol & Budesonide
Combination LABA+ICS |
| Zenhale | Fomoterol & Mometasone
Combination LABA+ICS |
| Breo | Vilanterol & Fluticasone Furoate
Combination LABA+ICS |
| Trelegy | Breo + Umeclidinium
Combination of 3 agents: LABA + ICS + LAMA |
| Mucomyst | (N-Acetylcysteine)
Mode of action: Breaks up di-sulphide bonds that link mucus together
A primary use: As a mucolytic. Is used for other things as well (tylenol overdose treatment)
Other: Often causes bronchoconstriction and irritation; bad odor |
| Pulmozyme | (Dornase-Alfa):
Mode of action: Breaks up DNA present in mucus
A primary use: A mucolytic for those suffering from cystic fibrosis |
| Hypertonic Saline: | Mode of action: Draws in surrounding fluid due to its hypertonic nature
A primary use: As an expectorant (drawing more fluid means increasing amount of mucus) |
| Dextromethorphan: | Mode of action: Suppresses medulla cough center
A primary use: Commonly found compound in anti-cough/cold medications |
| Codeine: | Mode of action: Suppresses medulla cough center
A primary use: Commonly found compound in anti-cough/cold medications |
| Robinul | (Glycopyrrolate):
Mode of action: Anti-Muscarinic
A primary use: Used to dry out secretions due to its anti-muscarinic effects |
| Scopolamine: | Mode of action: Anti-Muscarinic
A primary use: Used to dry out secretions due to its anti-muscarinic effects |
| Esbriets | (Pirfenidone):
Mode of action: Slows down fibroblast growth
A primary use: Used in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis to slow progression of fibrosis |
| OFEV | (Nintedanib):
Mode of action: Slows down fibroblast growth
A primary use: Used in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis to slow progression of fibrosi |
