How are antitussive and expectorants administered?
Antitussives are cough suppressants. They relieve your cough by blocking the cough reflex. Expectorants thin mucus. This may help your cough clear the mucus from your airway.
How do you take dextromethorphan?
Take this medication by mouth, usually every 4 to 12 hours as needed or as directed by your doctor. If stomach upset occurs, take with food or milk. Use a medication-measuring device to measure your dose of liquid medication. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose.
How is Robitussin administered?
Take this medication by mouth with or without food, as directed by your doctor. If you are self-treating, follow all directions on the product package. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Drink plenty of fluids while taking this medication.
When do you use antitussive?
Antitussives, which may also be referred to as cough suppressants, are medications that help relieve a cough. They are typically used to treat a dry cough caused by allergies, respiratory illnesses, or infections.
Is antitussive good for dry cough?
Cough suppressants (antitussives) quiet your cough by blocking your cough reflex. This is helpful for dry coughs that are painful or keeping you up at night. Expectorants are better for wet coughs. They work by thinning the mucus in your airway so you can more easily cough it up.
Are mucolytics and expectorants the same?
An expectorant increases bronchial secretions and mucolytics help loosen thick bronchial secretions. Expectorants reduce the thickness or viscosity of bronchial secretions thus increasing mucus flow that can be removed more easily through coughing. Mucolytics break down the chemical structure of mucus molecules.
What is the difference between Robitussin and DM?
Breaks up mucus and relieves cough. Robitussin Dm (Guaifenesin / Dextromethorphan) is okay for loosening congestion in your chest and throat, but it could prevent you from coughing the mucus up. Robitussin (Guaifenesin) reduces the thickness and amount of mucus in your throat and chest.
What is the difference between dextromethorphan and guaifenesin?
Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant. It affects the signals in the brain that trigger cough reflex. Guaifenesin is an expectorant. It helps loosen congestion in your chest and throat, making it easier to cough out through your mouth.
Are antitussives bad?
Warnings: This medication has a risk for abuse and addiction, which can lead to overdose and death. This medication may also cause severe, possibly fatal, breathing problems. To lower your risk, your doctor should have you take the smallest dose that works, and take it for the shortest possible time.
What are the indications and therapeutic actions associated with antitussives?
Indication of antitussives Antitussives are indicated for the following: Local anesthetic on the respiratory passages, lungs, and pleurae, blocking the effectiveness of the stretch receptors that stimulate a cough reflex. For relief of moderate to moderately severe pain.
What is the mechanism of action of antitussives?
Antitussives act on the cough-control center in the medulla to suppress the cough reflex; if the cough is nonproductive and irritating, an antitussive may be taken. Therapeutic actions of antitussives The desired actions of antitussives are as follows: Acts directly on the medullary cough center of the brain to depress the cough reflex.
What are some examples of Antitussive drugs?
A few examples of antitussive drugs are codeine, dextromethorphan, and butamirate. Some of the brand names available are: Although the exact mechanism of action of antitussives is unknown, they are thought to act on inhibiting the cough center of the brain and disrupt the cough reflex arc.
How do antitussives work to treat cough?
Antitussives are thought to work by inhibiting a coordinating region for coughing located in the brain stem, disrupting the cough reflex arc; although the exact mechanism of action is unknown. However, their use is not without controversy and they should only be considered for dry, irritating coughs that do not involve mucus production.
What are the nursing interventions essential for patients using antitussive medications?
Deficient knowledge regarding drug therapy. The nursing interventions essential for patients using antitussive medications are: Prevent overdosage. Ensure that the drug is not taken any longer than recommended to prevent serious adverse effects and severity respiratory tract problems. Assess underlying problems.