1. Antihistamines, antitussives, decongestants, expectorants
Snotty snotwell

2. As part of an immune response to foreign pathogens,
histamine is produced
by basophils and by mast cells when
contacting the antigen.
Mast cells found at site of likely injury…nose,mouth,
feet, GI tract, respiratory,blood vessels.
Histamine will bind with certain receptors on cells to
give different results.
Histamine is also a brain neurotransmitter.

3. H1 receptor found in smooth muscle, endothelial cells.
histamine will cause increase of permeability of
vessel wall and brochoconstriction, runny nose.
H2 receptor found in stomach and vascular smooth
muscle cells histamine will cause gastric acid increase
and vasodilation.
H3 receptor found in CNS tissue. Histamine yields
decreased neurotransmitters.
H4 receptor found in basophils,bone marrow.
deals with chemotaxis.

4. Two main effects of anaphylactic shock on the body
are severe drops in blood pressure and impaired
respiration.
The drastic drop in blood pressure
develops from the severe peripheral vasodilation
and the increased permeability of the capillaries. The impaired breathing arises from
bronchoconstriction. The anaphylactic reaction
occurs very rapidly after the introduction of the
antigen into the patient.
Unless prompt action is taken by medically trained
personnel, the patient will die in a matter of minutes.
The drug used for anaphylactic shock is epinephrine.

5. antihistamines
Action- competes with histamine due to similar structure. for treatment of allergies, insomnia, rash, and prophylaxis for drug allergies
Adverse reactions- drying up body fluids, drowsiness, and hyperactivity in some children
Considerations- these are the antidote for overdose in anitpsychotic meds, and do not mix with alcohol- synergistic effect

6. Some antihistamine drugs
Zyrtec- allergies
Allergra- allergies
Benadryl- allergies
Anti-vert- dizziness
Phenergan- vomiting

7. antitussives action- supresses cough
 Indicated for nonproductive coughs!
Opioid and non-opioid (narcotic and non-narcotic) 
Mechanism of Action--
Opioids---Suppress the cough reflex by direct action on the cough center in the medulla
examples: codeine (Robitussin A-C, Dimetane- DC) Hydrocodone
Onset: min

8. Non-opioids/non-narcotic (less effective)------
Suppress the cough reflex by anesthetizing the
stretch receptors in the respiratory tract and
preventing the cough reflex from being stimulated
by the medulla center in the brain
examples: benzonatate (Tessalon Perles) dextromethrophan (Vicks Formula 44, Robitussin-DM)
Onset: min
Reactions- depression, light-headedness
Considerations- dextromethorphan reacts with
MAOI’s(antidepressants)
due to the potential for seratonin syndrome, which is a potentially life-threatening
condition that can occur rapidly, due to a buildup of an excessive amount of serotonin
benzonatate must be swallowed not chewed. may cause
choking feeling, chest painn or numbness, hallucination, confusion.

9. antitussives
Tesselon perles
Robitussin
Benadryl
Codeine
hydrocodone

10. decongestants
Action- stimulates alpha adrenergic receptor to constrict arteries within the nasal mucosa. many cells have these receptors, to stimulate sympathetic NS.
Treats congestion from cold, sinusitis and infections
Reactions- increased blood pressure, increased heart rate, insomnia, anxiety, tremors, rebound effect(re-emergence of symptoms when med is DC)
Considerations- should be avoided by patient who have DM, heart disease, enlarged prostate, tourette’s syndrome

11. decongestants Afrin----oxymetazoline Sudafed--pseudoephedrine
Zyrtec---cetirizine-pseud….
allegra--fexofenadine-psedo…
claritin---loratadine-pseu….

12. expectorants
Action- decrease thickness of mucus to remove or cough out of the lungs. increase bronchial secretion
Reactions- vomiting and GI distress
Special considerations- drink plenty of water

13. Expectorants guaifenesin----Robitussin
Mucinex-D----guaifenesin/pseudoephedrine
Robutussin AC---guaifenesin/codeine