[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › Respiratory

# Respiratory

52 drugs

## Alpha-1 antitrypsin replacement (augmentation therapy)

- [**About this section** Purified human alpha-1 antitrypsin given by vein to people with severe deficiency and emphysema, to slow…](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/alpha-1-antitrypsin-replacement/)
- [**Alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor (human)** Neutrophil elastase](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/alpha-1-proteinase-inhibitor/)

## Antifibrotics

- [**About this section** Oral drugs that slow scarring of the lung in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and other progressive fibrosing…](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/antifibrotics/)
- [**Nintedanib** Growth-factor receptor tyrosine kinases (VEGFR, FGFR and PDGFR)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/nintedanib/)
- [**Pirfenidone** Fibrogenic and inflammatory signalling in lung fibroblasts (molecular target not established)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/pirfenidone/)

## Beta-2 adrenergic agonists

- [**About this section** Bronchodilators that stimulate the beta-2 receptor of airway muscle. Short-acting ones relieve attacks…](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/beta-2-adrenergic-agonists/)
- [**Formoterol** Beta-2 adrenergic receptor](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/formoterol/)
- [**Olodaterol** Beta-2 adrenergic receptor](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/olodaterol/)
- [**Salbutamol** Beta-2 adrenergic receptor](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/salbutamol/)
- [**Salmeterol** Beta-2 adrenergic receptor](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/salmeterol/)
- [**Terbutaline** Beta-2 adrenergic receptor](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/terbutaline/)

## Biologics for asthma

- [**About this section** Injected monoclonal antibodies that block IgE or type 2 cytokines (IL-5, IL-4/IL-13) in severe allergic or…](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/biologics-for-asthma/)
- [**Benralizumab** Interleukin-5 receptor alpha chain (IL-5Rα)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/benralizumab/)
- [**Dupilumab** Interleukin-4 receptor alpha chain (IL-4Rα)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/dupilumab/)
- [**Mepolizumab** Interleukin-5 (IL-5)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/mepolizumab/)
- [**Omalizumab** Immunoglobulin E (Fc region)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/omalizumab/)
- [**Reslizumab** Interleukin-5 (IL-5)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/reslizumab/)
- [**Tezepelumab** Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/tezepelumab/)

## CFTR modulators

- [**About this section** Oral drugs that repair the faulty chloride channel behind cystic fibrosis, chosen according to the patient's…](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/cftr-modulators/)
- [**Elexacaftor + tezacaftor + ivacaftor** CFTR chloride channel (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor/)
- [**Ivacaftor** CFTR chloride channel (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/ivacaftor/)

## Cough and cold medicines

- [**About this section** Antitussives that quiet the cough reflex and expectorants that loosen mucus. They ease symptoms of the…](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/cough-and-cold-medicines/)
- [**Benzonatate** Stretch receptors of the airways, lungs and pleura](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/benzonatate/)
- [**Dextromethorphan** NMDA glutamate receptor and sigma-1 receptor (cough centre)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/dextromethorphan/)
- [**Guaifenesin** Airway secretions (expectorant action)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/guaifenesin/)

## H1 antihistamines

- [**About this section** Drugs that block the histamine H1 receptor. First-generation ones cross into the brain and sedate…](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/h1-antihistamines/)
- [**Cetirizine** Histamine H1 receptor](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/cetirizine/)
- [**Chlorphenamine** Histamine H1 receptor](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/chlorphenamine/)
- [**Cyclizine** Histamine H1 receptor](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/cyclizine/)
- [**Cyproheptadine** Histamine H1 receptor](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/cyproheptadine/)
- [**Desloratadine** Histamine H1 receptor](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/desloratadine/)
- [**Dimenhydrinate** Histamine H1 receptor (and muscarinic receptors)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/dimenhydrinate/)
- [**Diphenhydramine** Histamine H1 receptor](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/diphenhydramine/)
- [**Doxylamine** Histamine H1 receptor](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/doxylamine/)
- [**Fexofenadine** Histamine H1 receptor](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/fexofenadine/)
- [**Hydroxyzine** Histamine H1 receptor](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/hydroxyzine/)
- [**Loratadine** Histamine H1 receptor](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/loratadine/)
- [**Meclozine** Histamine H1 receptor](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/meclozine/)
- [**Promethazine** Histamine H1 receptor](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/promethazine/)

## Inhaled antimuscarinics

- [**About this section** Inhaled blockers of the muscarinic receptor that open the airways by cutting vagal tone. A mainstay of COPD…](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/inhaled-antimuscarinics/)
- [**Ipratropium bromide** Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M3](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/ipratropium-bromide/)
- [**Tiotropium bromide** Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M3](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/tiotropium-bromide/)

## Inhaled corticosteroids

- [**About this section** Steroids breathed into the lungs to calm airway inflammation. The most effective controller medicines for…](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/inhaled-corticosteroids/)
- [**Beclometasone** Glucocorticoid receptor](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/beclometasone/)
- [**Budesonide** Glucocorticoid receptor](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/budesonide/)
- [**Budesonide + formoterol** Glucocorticoid receptor (budesonide) and beta-2 adrenergic receptor (formoterol)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/budesonide-formoterol/)
- [**Fluticasone** Glucocorticoid receptor](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/fluticasone/)

## Leukotriene modifiers

- [**About this section** Tablets that block cysteinyl leukotrienes, mediators that narrow and inflame the airways. Add-on controllers…](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/leukotriene-modifiers/)
- [**Montelukast** Cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 (CysLT1)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/montelukast/)

## Mast cell stabilisers

- [**About this section** Cromoglicic acid and nedocromil: preventers that stop mast cells from releasing histamine and other…](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/mast-cell-stabilisers/)
- [**Cromoglicic acid** Mast cell mediator release](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/cromoglicic-acid/)

## Medical gases

- [**About this section** Gases given as medicines: oxygen corrects hypoxaemia and nitrous oxide gives analgesia and supports…](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/medical-gases/)
- [**Nitric oxide (inhaled)** Soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) in vascular smooth muscle](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/nitric-oxide/)
- [**Oxygen** Haemoglobin (transport) and cytochrome c oxidase (use in mitochondria)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/oxygen/)

## Methylxanthines

- [**About this section** Theophylline, aminophylline and caffeine: old bronchodilators and breathing stimulants with a narrow margin…](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/methylxanthines/)
- [**Aminophylline** Adenosine A2A receptor (and phosphodiesterases PDE3, PDE4)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/aminophylline/)
- [**Caffeine citrate** Adenosine A1 and A2A receptors](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/caffeine-citrate/)
- [**Theophylline** Adenosine A2A receptor (and phosphodiesterases PDE3, PDE4)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/theophylline/)

## Mucolytics and supportive cystic fibrosis therapies

- [**About this section** Treatments that thin airway mucus or replace missing digestive enzymes, the daily care that supports people…](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/mucolytics-and-supportive-cystic-fibrosis-therapies/)
- [**Dornase alfa** Extracellular DNA in airway secretions (dornase alfa is recombinant human deoxyribonuclease I)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/dornase-alfa/)
- [**Pancrelipase** Dietary fat, protein and starch in the small intestine (enzyme replacement)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/pancrelipase/)

## Nasal decongestants

- [**About this section** Alpha-adrenergic agonists that shrink swollen nasal blood vessels. Sprays work fast but cause rebound…](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/nasal-decongestants/)
- [**Oxymetazoline** Alpha-1A and alpha-2A adrenergic receptors](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/oxymetazoline/)
- [**Pseudoephedrine** Noradrenaline release from sympathetic nerve endings (indirect), with some direct alpha action](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/pseudoephedrine/)
- [**Xylometazoline** Alpha adrenergic receptors of the nasal vessels](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/xylometazoline/)

## PDE4 inhibitors

- [**About this section** Oral anti-inflammatories that block phosphodiesterase 4 in immune cells; roflumilast reduces exacerbations…](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/pde4-inhibitors/)
- [**Apremilast** Phosphodiesterase 4 (cAMP-specific)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/apremilast/)
- [**Roflumilast** Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4B, PDE4D)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/roflumilast/)

## A to Z

- [A](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/a/)
- [B](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/b/)
- [C](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/c/)
- [D](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/d/)
- [E](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/e/)
- [F](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/f/)
- [G](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/g/)
- [H](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/h/)
- [I](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/i/)
- [K](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/k/)
- [L](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/l/)
- [M](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/m/)
- [N](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/n/)
- [O](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/o/)
- [P](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/p/)
- [Q](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/q/)
- [R](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/r/)
- [S](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/s/)
- [T](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/t/)
- [U](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/u/)
- [V](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/v/)
- [W](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/w/)
- [X](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/x/)
- [Y](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/y/)
- [Z](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/a-z/z/)

[← Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/)

Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Representative model, for educational purposes only.

---
Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/areas/respiratory/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/areas/respiratory/