Respiratory Pharmacology

At the end of this course, students should be able to: 1. define the pathophysiology and types of asthma; 2. enumerate the various classes of anti-asthmatics, with specific examples; 3. explain the basic pharmacology of the classes of drugs; 4. discuss the clinical pharmacology of the drugs with regards to rapidity of onset of actions and preference of certain drugs in certain situations; 5. distinguish which drug classes are bronchodilators and which are anti-inflammatory; 6. explain the use of oxygen therapy in management of asthma; 7. list advantages of inhalational therapy in management of asthma; 8. describe the cough reflex, the common causes of cough and the types of coughs; 9. discuss the classes of drugs used in management of cough, with examples; and 10. explain the basic pharmacology of drugs used in management of cough.

Drugs acting on the respiratory system. Asthma and anti-asthmatics. Pathophysiology. Types (chronic asthma, status asthmaticus), classes of anti-asthmatics (B2-adrenergic agonists, methylxanthines, muscarinic receptor antagonists, adrenal corticosteroids, cromolyn, leukotriene modulators, monoclonal antibodies). Basic pharmacology of anti-asthmatic drugs. bronchodilator drugs and anti-inflammatory drugs. Oxygen therapy. Advantages of inhalational therapy in management of asthma. Mechanism of action, adverse effects, contraindications, pharmacokinetics, rapidity of onset of actions, preference of certain drugs in certain situations bronchodilator drugs. Drug-induced pulmonary disorders. Cough. Antitussives. Expectorants. Mucolytics. Respiratory stimulants.