Respiratory
Agents that open airways, calm airway inflammation, and manage allergic and obstructive disease of the lungs. The recurring theme: separate the quick reliever from the daily controller.
Bronchodilators
-terol High-yieldRelax airway smooth muscle to open the airways. β2-agonists are the core — watch for tachycardia and the LABA-monotherapy rule.
Inhaled Corticosteroids
High-yieldThe daily anti-inflammatory controller for asthma — not a rescue. Rinse and spit after use to reduce the risk of thrush.
Antihistamines
High-yieldBlock H1 receptors to relieve allergy symptoms. The key split: 1st-generation sedates, 2nd-generation doesn’t.
Leukotriene Modifiers
-lukastOral asthma/allergy controllers that block leukotrienes. Not a rescue drug; watch mood/behavior changes.
Methylxanthines (Theophylline)
An older oral bronchodilator with a dangerously narrow therapeutic window — levels must be monitored.
Cough & Cold Agents
OTC antitussives, expectorants, and decongestants. Know decongestant BP effects and the dextromethorphan interaction.
Mast-Cell Stabilizers
Prevent mast cells from releasing histamine — pure prophylaxis. Very safe, but useless in an acute attack.
Pulmonary Hypertension Agents
Drugs that target the three faulty signals of pulmonary arterial hypertension — endothelin, nitric oxide–cGMP and prostacyclin. Pregnancy, the liver, blood pressure and never-interrupted infusions are the safety themes.