Timby's MedSurg 14e

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UNIT 5 Caring for Clients With Respiratory Disorders

DRUG THERAPY TABLE 20-1 Agents toTreat Upper Respiratory Disorders

Category and Common Generic (Brand) Drugs

Intended Use

Common Side Effects

Safety Warnings for Nurses

Antihistamines

First Generation Brompheniramine (Veltane) Chlorpheniramine (ChlorTrimeton) Clemastine (Dayhist) Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) Promethazine

Temporary relief of sneezing, itchy, watery eyes, and runny nose caused by hay fever or other respiratory allergies and the common cold Antiemetic, hypersensitivity reactions, motion sick ness, sedation Seasonal or allergic rhinitis, chronic urticaria

Drowsiness, dry mouth, urinary hesitancy

• Increased fall risk due to sedative side effects • Often taken at home, teach to refrain from driving or using danger ous equipment when drowsy

Second Generation Azelastine (Astelin) Bilastine Cetirizine (Zyrtec)

Dizziness, dry mouth, nose, and throat

• Drying effect can potentiate nose bleeds. • Contraindicated in clients with cer tain heart conditions

Desloratadine (Clarinex) Fexofenadine (Allegra) Loratadine (Claritin) Decongestants Epinephrine (Adrenalin) Oxymetazoline (Zicam) Phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine) Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) Fluticasone (Flonase)

Reduce nasal congestion by vasoconstriction Reduce nasal congestion by reducing inflammation

Anxiety, restlessness, nervous ness, dry mouth, nose, and throat Dry mouth, nose, and throat

• Do not use sustained-release prod ucts with those under 12 years of age. • Interacts with HIV antiretroviral meds • Can limit growth, do not use with children under 4 years of age

Anti-inflammatory

Fluticasone (Flonase)

Reduces inflammation Relieves nasal congestion, sneezing, runny or itchy nose, and itchy, watery eyes

The development of eye conditions such as cataracts and glaucoma has been reported with the use of fluticasone nasal spray.

Can limit growth in children aged 4 to 11 years

Antitussives

Opioid Antitussives Codeine

Suppression of nonproduc tive cough Symptomatic relief of cough

Sedation, dizziness, constipation • Greater CNS depressant effect if taken with alcohol • Increase fluids and fiber

Nonopioid Antitussives Benzonatate (Tessalon) Dextromethorphan (Pertussin) Diphenhydramine (ZzzQuil)

Expectorants

Guaifenesin (Mucinex)

Relief of cough associated with respiratory tract in fection (sinusitis, asthma, bronchitis, pharyngitis), especially when the cough is dry and nonproductive

Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, rash

Copyright © 2025 Wolters Kluwer, Inc. Unauthorized reproduction of the content is prohibited. Note: The drugs in column 1 indicate the drug that matches up with explanations in columns 2 through 4. CNS, central nervous system.