Bronchodilators

Bronchodilators

Bronchodilators are treatments offered to people experiencing breathing difficulties. Bronchodilators are used to ease breathing by making the lungs muscles relax, and creating a broad way for the air (bronchi). Bronchodilators are used to treat conditions of Asthma, which is inflammation of the bronchi commonly in the lungs (Gadomski & Scribani, 2014). Bronchodilators are also used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary defect, which is a side effect of heavy smoking hence causing difficulties in breathing. Bronchodilators are either short-acting or long-acting. Short-acting is a sudden relief from breathing difficulties but usually for a short term. Long-acting helps to increase regular breathing in Asthma. Three main used bronchodilators are beta two agonists such as (salmeterol, vilanterol, and salbutamol), anticholinergics such as (tiotropium, ipratropium, and aclidinium), and Theophylline.

Beta- 2 agonists

`           Beta-2 agonists are types of drugs used to treat both chronic obstructive pulmonary defect and Asthma. Some of the Beta-2 agonists drugs are only made for the treatment of COPD only. Beta-2 agonists are inhaled through a little hand friendly inhaler, but also available in the form of syrups and tablets (Cazzola, et al, 2019). During severe conditions, Beta2-agonists can be injected into the body, or nebulized. Beta2- agonists after being administered in the body of the human being stimulate receptors known as beta2- receptors found in the muscles of the bronchi. Beta2- agonists makes the receptors relax and allows the bronchi to open wider.

Anticholinergics

Like Beta-2 agonists, Anticholinergics are drugs used in the treatment of Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary defect. Anticholinergics are administered through the use of an inhaler. Anticholinergics are also administered through nebulization when the symptoms seem severe. Anticholinergics are used to unblock the pathway of the bronchi by blocking the cholinergic nerves. After blocking of the cholinergic nerves, the nerves usually release chemicals, which cause muscles lining in the bronchi to constrict up (Beeh, et al, 2017). During the administration of Anticholinergic drugs, make sure the drugs do not come into contact with the eyes, the drug causes harm in the Glaucoma. Anticholinergics should be administered with caution to people with benign prostate enlargement since it can affect the peeing process. Anticholinergic should also be administered carefully to people with bladder outflow obstruction since Anticholinergic drugs can affect the bladder.

Theophylline

Theophylline drugs are usually administered in capsule or tablet form. Aminophylline is a different version of Theophylline, which is administered directly into the veins when the conditions seem severe (Gadomski & Scribani, 2014). Though there is no clear way of how Theophylline works, the drug is believed to reduce swelling in the bronchi and helps to relax the muscles lining the bronchi. Theophylline is felt to be much weaker than Anticholinergics, and Beta- 2 agonists. Theophylline should be administered w since it can highly cause side effects. People suffering from cardiovascular diseases, liver problems, high blood pressure, and open stomach sores should use theophylline drugs carefully due to its high th effect.

Side Effects

Bronchodilators, like many other drugs, also have side effects. The side effects sometimes depend on the dose administered. The more doses administered the more chances of developing side effects (Gadomski & Scribani, 2014). Common side effects of the three drugs mentioned above that is Theophylline, Anticholinergics, and Beta-2 agonists include tremors, coughing, increased heartbeat rate, nausea, and nervousness. Bronchodilators may also lead to bronchospasm. Like all medications, Bronchodilators also develop allergic reactions.

Analgesics

Analgesics are types of drugs used in relieve pain from the body of a human being. Analgesics are also known as pain relievers. The term Analgesic is used to refer to the type of medication administered to a human being in order to relieve pain without making them lose consciousness. Analgesics are grouped by physician according to their strengths. Analgelics are divided into different categories such as Tylenol ( acentaminophen) which lack prescriptions, and apioid analgesics, which their availability comes with prescription. Opioid are known to relieve pain effectively. We also have nonsteroidal anti-inflamatory drugs, which are also considered as NSAID.

nonsteroidal anti-inflamatory medicines

nonsteroidal anti-inflamatory medicines are group of drugs that help in the reduction of fever, pain, and inflammation. nonsteroidal anti-inflamatory drugs work by obstructing enzymes known as cyclo- oxygenase enzymes. Cylo- oxygenase enzymes are the ones that produce prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are compounds that control the flow of blood, how blood forms clot, and inflammation. nonsteroidal anti-inflamatory drugs are administered to reduce pain that comes from severe headaches, migraines, strains, toothache, menstruation, and sprains.

Opioids

Opioids are also known as narcotic analgesics. Opioids are used as pain relievers from chronic pain. Opioids are opiates or narcotics. Opioids are the most used pain relievers. The misuse and miss-prescription of the drug has resulted to more than two million people globally suffering from misuse disorder. Opioid functions in the human body by binding to the opioid

Receptors, which is the Part that controls pain, addictive behaviors, and pleasure. Opioid receptors are mostly found within the spinal cord and the brain. Opioid receptors are also found in the stomach and the lungs. Opioid binds with the mu receptor, which is the main opioid receptor.

Aspirin

Aspirin is a type of medicine that is used in the treatment of pain, fever, and inflammation. Aspirin also prevents stoke, chest pain, blood clotting, and heart attack to different types of people. Aspirin works by stopping prostaglandin inflammation being produced.

Side effects

Analgesics just like other drugs also have side effects which include constipation, drowsiness, dry mouth skin itching and dizziness. A patient should talk to his doctor about their medical conditions before taking any analgesics.

Anticoagulants

Anticoagulants are drugs that help in the prevention of blood clotting. Anticoagulants are administered to individuals with risks of developing clots to prevent developing conditions such as stroke and heart attacks. Blood clot is the prevention of blood from coming out of a wound. Despite the usefulness of Anticoagulants in blood clotting, the drugs also block blood vessels and prevent the blood from flowing to important parts like the brain.  Heparins, thrombin inhibitors, and coumarins and indandiones are examples of Anticoagulants drugs.

coumarins and indandiones

Warfarin is the only drug listed in this category. Warfarin prevents vitamin k epoxide reductase. Vitamin k activates coagulating factors two, seven, nine and ten. Warfarin comes inform of tablets and is taken in oral form. After taking Warfarin, an individual is required to carry out a blood test that measure International Normalized Ration. If your International Normalized Ration is high then the dosage of Warfarin may be reduced to lower the excessive bleeding. When the International Normalized Ration is too low, the Warfarin dosage may be increased to lower the risk of clotting.

Heparins

Heparins are form of anticoagulant drugs which are administered through injections. Heparins are used to activate antithrombin two, which is used to prevent thrombin and factor xa. Heparin exists in two forms, which are the high molecular weight heparin and the low molecular weight heparin. High molecular weight heparin needs the monitoring of blood in order to check aptt. The low molecular weight heparin responds better and does not require being monitored on daily basis.

Thrombin Inhibitors

Thrombin inhibitors are type of drugs that bind and prevent the work of thrombin hence preventing the clotting of blood. Thrombin inhibitor is used to in activate free thrombin and also the thrombin found within the fibrin. The work of the thrombin inhibitors is to prevent arterial thrombosis. Thrombin inhibitors also prevent deep vain to prevent deep vein thrombosis.

Side Effects

Treatment with anticoagulant may lead to profuse bleeding, abdominal pain, headache and lethargy. Patient is advised to consult the doctor with previous medical record to prevent serious side effects, which may lead to death.

Antitussives

Antitussives drugs are drugs that are used to reduce coughing effects. Antitussives are also known as suppressants. Antitussives usually work by preventing a coordinating coughing region, which is found in the brain stem, hence disruption of the cough reflex arc. Antitussives are considered for dry irritating coughs that do not come with the production of mucus. Examples of antitussives include pholcoldine, codeine, and dextromethorphan.

Codeine

Codeine is an opioid drug that is used in the treatment of pain. Codeine reduces pain by increasing threshold for pain without altering functions of the sensory nerves. Codeine is administered in form of a tablet. After being administered in the body, codeine is converted to morphine, where it raises the tolerance of pain, hence reducing discomfort. Codeine combines with mu opioid receptors, which are involved in the transmission of pain through the central nervous system and the whole body. Codeine is absorbed in the blood 60 minutes after administration.

Dextromethorphan

Dextromethorphan is an NMDA receptor that deals with dry cough. Dextromethorphan conquers the coughing reflex through a direct action of the coughing center found in the brain. Dextromethorphan drugs are absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, from where it is absorbed in the blood streams and overcomes the blood medulla barrier.

Methadone

Methadone is an opioid analgesic drug that is used to treat severe pain that does not respond to alternative medication. Methadone is also used to help in detoxification, and maintaining the treatment of the addiction of opioid. u-opioid receptor is the main mechanism in the treatment of pain. Methadone is administered as a ratio of fifty to fifty mixture of the (s)- and (R)- with the (R)-  acting as a 10-fold high affinity for the u-opioid receptor more than the (S)-. Methadone is absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract. Methadone is administered orally. Methadone is detected in the blood streams 15 minutes after being administered.

Side Effects

 Conclusion

Bronchodilators are drugs administered to people with Asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary defect. Three types of Bronchodilators exists; Beta- 2 agonists, Anticholinergics, and Theophylline. The drugs are administered through an inhaler except for Theophylline which is usually administered through tablets and capsules. Administration of the drugs may cause allergic actions on different bodies. Bronchodilators drugs also have side effects such as coughing, increased heartbeat and nausea.

References

Beeh, K. M., Burgel, P. R., Franssen, F. M., Lopez-Campos, J. L., Loukides, S., Hurst, J. R., …    & Valipour, A. (2017). How do dual long-acting bronchodilators prevent exacerbations      of         chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?. American journal of respiratory and           critical care     medicine, 196(2), 139-149.

Cazzola, M., Rogliani, P., Calzetta, L., & Matera, M. G. (2019). Bronchodilators in subjects with             asthma-related comorbidities. Respiratory medicine.

Gadomski, A. M., & Scribani, M. B. (2014). Bronchodilators for bronchiolitis. Cochrane database of systematic reviews, (6).