Respiratory
52 drugs
Alpha-1 antitrypsin replacement (augmentation therapy)
- About this sectionPurified human alpha-1 antitrypsin given by vein to people with severe deficiency and emphysema, to slow…
- Alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor (human)Neutrophil elastase
Antifibrotics
- About this sectionOral drugs that slow scarring of the lung in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and other progressive fibrosing…
- NintedanibGrowth-factor receptor tyrosine kinases (VEGFR, FGFR and PDGFR)
- PirfenidoneFibrogenic and inflammatory signalling in lung fibroblasts (molecular target not established)
Beta-2 adrenergic agonists
- About this sectionBronchodilators that stimulate the beta-2 receptor of airway muscle. Short-acting ones relieve attacks…
- FormoterolBeta-2 adrenergic receptor
- OlodaterolBeta-2 adrenergic receptor
- SalbutamolBeta-2 adrenergic receptor
- SalmeterolBeta-2 adrenergic receptor
- TerbutalineBeta-2 adrenergic receptor
Biologics for asthma
- About this sectionInjected monoclonal antibodies that block IgE or type 2 cytokines (IL-5, IL-4/IL-13) in severe allergic or…
- BenralizumabInterleukin-5 receptor alpha chain (IL-5Rα)
- DupilumabInterleukin-4 receptor alpha chain (IL-4Rα)
- MepolizumabInterleukin-5 (IL-5)
- OmalizumabImmunoglobulin E (Fc region)
- ReslizumabInterleukin-5 (IL-5)
- TezepelumabThymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP)
CFTR modulators
- About this sectionOral drugs that repair the faulty chloride channel behind cystic fibrosis, chosen according to the patient's…
- Elexacaftor + tezacaftor + ivacaftorCFTR chloride channel (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator)
- IvacaftorCFTR chloride channel (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator)
Cough and cold medicines
- About this sectionAntitussives that quiet the cough reflex and expectorants that loosen mucus. They ease symptoms of the…
- BenzonatateStretch receptors of the airways, lungs and pleura
- DextromethorphanNMDA glutamate receptor and sigma-1 receptor (cough centre)
- GuaifenesinAirway secretions (expectorant action)
H1 antihistamines
- About this sectionDrugs that block the histamine H1 receptor. First-generation ones cross into the brain and sedate…
- CetirizineHistamine H1 receptor
- ChlorphenamineHistamine H1 receptor
- CyclizineHistamine H1 receptor
- CyproheptadineHistamine H1 receptor
- DesloratadineHistamine H1 receptor
- DimenhydrinateHistamine H1 receptor (and muscarinic receptors)
- DiphenhydramineHistamine H1 receptor
- DoxylamineHistamine H1 receptor
- FexofenadineHistamine H1 receptor
- HydroxyzineHistamine H1 receptor
- LoratadineHistamine H1 receptor
- MeclozineHistamine H1 receptor
- PromethazineHistamine H1 receptor
Inhaled antimuscarinics
- About this sectionInhaled blockers of the muscarinic receptor that open the airways by cutting vagal tone. A mainstay of COPD…
- Ipratropium bromideMuscarinic acetylcholine receptor M3
- Tiotropium bromideMuscarinic acetylcholine receptor M3
Inhaled corticosteroids
- About this sectionSteroids breathed into the lungs to calm airway inflammation. The most effective controller medicines for…
- BeclometasoneGlucocorticoid receptor
- BudesonideGlucocorticoid receptor
- Budesonide + formoterolGlucocorticoid receptor (budesonide) and beta-2 adrenergic receptor (formoterol)
- FluticasoneGlucocorticoid receptor
Leukotriene modifiers
- About this sectionTablets that block cysteinyl leukotrienes, mediators that narrow and inflame the airways. Add-on controllers…
- MontelukastCysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 (CysLT1)
Mast cell stabilisers
- About this sectionCromoglicic acid and nedocromil: preventers that stop mast cells from releasing histamine and other…
- Cromoglicic acidMast cell mediator release
Medical gases
- About this sectionGases given as medicines: oxygen corrects hypoxaemia and nitrous oxide gives analgesia and supports…
- Nitric oxide (inhaled)Soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) in vascular smooth muscle
- OxygenHaemoglobin (transport) and cytochrome c oxidase (use in mitochondria)
Methylxanthines
- About this sectionTheophylline, aminophylline and caffeine: old bronchodilators and breathing stimulants with a narrow margin…
- AminophyllineAdenosine A2A receptor (and phosphodiesterases PDE3, PDE4)
- Caffeine citrateAdenosine A1 and A2A receptors
- TheophyllineAdenosine A2A receptor (and phosphodiesterases PDE3, PDE4)
Mucolytics and supportive cystic fibrosis therapies
- About this sectionTreatments that thin airway mucus or replace missing digestive enzymes, the daily care that supports people…
- Dornase alfaExtracellular DNA in airway secretions (dornase alfa is recombinant human deoxyribonuclease I)
- PancrelipaseDietary fat, protein and starch in the small intestine (enzyme replacement)
Nasal decongestants
- About this sectionAlpha-adrenergic agonists that shrink swollen nasal blood vessels. Sprays work fast but cause rebound…
- OxymetazolineAlpha-1A and alpha-2A adrenergic receptors
- PseudoephedrineNoradrenaline release from sympathetic nerve endings (indirect), with some direct alpha action
- XylometazolineAlpha adrenergic receptors of the nasal vessels
PDE4 inhibitors
- About this sectionOral anti-inflammatories that block phosphodiesterase 4 in immune cells; roflumilast reduces exacerbations…
- ApremilastPhosphodiesterase 4 (cAMP-specific)
- RoflumilastPhosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4B, PDE4D)
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Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.
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