Respiratory Stimulants,Expectorants and Anti-tussives

Definition: A respiratory stimulant is primarily used

in addition to noninvasive ventilation (Noninvasive

ventilation provides ventilatory support to a patient

through the upper airways)as a means to help

increase the urge to breathe. It works by stimulating

the central nervous system, resulting in an increase

in respiratory rate and tidal volume, which is the

amount of air that is inhaled or exhaled during a

normal breath

Respiratory stimulants

Respiratory stimulants

• Examples of respiratory stimulants include-

1.Doxapram, also known as Dopram, is a respiratory

stimulant and as such, helps stimulate or improve breathing.

Doxapram is used to help stimulate the respiratory drive in

patients who are recovering from surgery, who have overdosed

on certain drugs or, who have high carbon dioxide levels in

their blood, which can occur in COPD.

1.severe allergic reaction including rash, hives, itching,

shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, swelling of the

face, mouth, lips or tongue.

2.chest pain

3.heart rate changes or feeling like your heart skips a

beat

4.disorientation

5.fainting

6.fever

7.urination difficulties

8.severe dizziness, headache

9.inability to control the bladder

10.feeling hyperactive

11.muscle spasms12.seizures

Side Effects

2.Theophylline is a methylxanthine, a type

of bronchodilator used in COPD treatment to relax the

smooth muscles of the airway and suppress their

hyperresponsiveness to airway irritants.

Theophylline may be used in addition to COPD inhalers and

other medications, such as oral corticosteroids. It is most

commonly used to manage symptoms associated with COPD

and other respiratory ailments.

Theophylline levels should be monitored closely for signs of

toxicity, as toxicity may occur even when the drug levels are

within a therapeutic range.Theophylline should be used

cautiously in neonates, patients with cirrhosis of the liver, the

elderly, women in their third trimester of pregnancy, people

with peptic ulcer disease, heart arrhythmias (except when the

heart rate is too slow), and seizures.

Side Effects:

1. Allergic reaction, including severe itching, skin rash,

swelling of the face, lips or tongue

2nausea and vomiting

3rapid heartbeat, or feeling like your heart skips a beat

4dizziness

5fever

6seizures

3.Almitrine-It enhances respiration by acting as an

agonist of peripheral chemoreceptors located on the

carotid bodies. The drug increases arterial oxygen

tension while decreasing arterial carbon dioxide

tension in patients with chronic obstructive

pulmonary disease(COPD).