Albuterol (beta-agonist) - ANSWER A bronchodilator; valid for any wheezing (on the
exam), plays a critical role in treating acute asthma.
Forms and Dosages:
SVN 2.5 mg or 0.5ml
Continuous Neb: 10-25 mg/h
MDI 10mg or 2ml
Levalbuterol (Xopenex) (Beta-agonist) - ANSWER Bronchodilator; substitute for albut-
erol when tachycardia or tremors.
Forms and Dosages:
MDI 45 mcg, 2 inhalations (= 90 mcg) every 4-6 hours
SVN 0.63 mg every 4-6 hours
Ipratropium bromide(Atrovent) - ANSWER (Anticholinergic) bronchodilator & should
always be given with a beta-agonist (such as albuterol or levalbuterol).
Forms and Dosages:
SVN 0.5 mg every 6 hours
MDI 1.25-2.5 mcg 2x/day
Tiotropium Bromide (Spiriva) - ANSWER Use: (Anticholinergic) helps to prevent bron-
chospasm. NOT to use for a patient in acute distress.
Forms and Dosages: DPI 18 mcg/capsule. 1x/day, (2 inhalations of 1 capsule)
MDI 1.25 or 2.5 mcg/actuation
1
, albuterol/ ipratropium bromide - ANSWER Use: Beta-agonist with Anticholinergic
Forms and Dosages:
SVN: Duoneb (Albuterol 2.5 mg/Ipratropium 0.5 mg) = 4x/day
MDI: Combivent (Albuterol 100 mcg/Ipratropium 20 mcg) = 4x/day
beclomethasone (Vanceril)(QVAR) - ANSWER Inhaled Steroid. : anti-inflammatory
drug.
Dosage: 40-80 mcg, twice a day
dornase alfa(Pulmozyme) - ANSWER Mucolytic; Use: breaks up thick (tenacious) secre-
tions, particularly important drug in cystic fibrosis patients
Acetylcysteine(Mucomyst) - ANSWER Mucolytic; Use: breaks up (cleaves) bonds in in-
fected pulmonary secretions (so look for thick, tenacious, probably yellow, secretions)
bland aerosol - ANSWER Use: fancy name for a humidified, sometimes heated aerosol
that does not have an active drug in it. Can help hydrate secretions, thinning them (espe-
cially when heated).
caffeine citrate - ANSWER respiratory stimulant for prematurity with apneas that
cause bradycardia
Monteleukast (Singulair) - ANSWER leukotriene inhibitor; asthma prophylaxis; not for
acute attacks
Zafirlukast (Accolate) - ANSWER Leukotriene Inhibitor: helps control mild or moderate
asthma - this is a maintenance drug
Zileuton (Zyflo) - ANSWER Leukotriene Inhibitor :helps control mild or moderate
asthma
2
exam), plays a critical role in treating acute asthma.
Forms and Dosages:
SVN 2.5 mg or 0.5ml
Continuous Neb: 10-25 mg/h
MDI 10mg or 2ml
Levalbuterol (Xopenex) (Beta-agonist) - ANSWER Bronchodilator; substitute for albut-
erol when tachycardia or tremors.
Forms and Dosages:
MDI 45 mcg, 2 inhalations (= 90 mcg) every 4-6 hours
SVN 0.63 mg every 4-6 hours
Ipratropium bromide(Atrovent) - ANSWER (Anticholinergic) bronchodilator & should
always be given with a beta-agonist (such as albuterol or levalbuterol).
Forms and Dosages:
SVN 0.5 mg every 6 hours
MDI 1.25-2.5 mcg 2x/day
Tiotropium Bromide (Spiriva) - ANSWER Use: (Anticholinergic) helps to prevent bron-
chospasm. NOT to use for a patient in acute distress.
Forms and Dosages: DPI 18 mcg/capsule. 1x/day, (2 inhalations of 1 capsule)
MDI 1.25 or 2.5 mcg/actuation
1
, albuterol/ ipratropium bromide - ANSWER Use: Beta-agonist with Anticholinergic
Forms and Dosages:
SVN: Duoneb (Albuterol 2.5 mg/Ipratropium 0.5 mg) = 4x/day
MDI: Combivent (Albuterol 100 mcg/Ipratropium 20 mcg) = 4x/day
beclomethasone (Vanceril)(QVAR) - ANSWER Inhaled Steroid. : anti-inflammatory
drug.
Dosage: 40-80 mcg, twice a day
dornase alfa(Pulmozyme) - ANSWER Mucolytic; Use: breaks up thick (tenacious) secre-
tions, particularly important drug in cystic fibrosis patients
Acetylcysteine(Mucomyst) - ANSWER Mucolytic; Use: breaks up (cleaves) bonds in in-
fected pulmonary secretions (so look for thick, tenacious, probably yellow, secretions)
bland aerosol - ANSWER Use: fancy name for a humidified, sometimes heated aerosol
that does not have an active drug in it. Can help hydrate secretions, thinning them (espe-
cially when heated).
caffeine citrate - ANSWER respiratory stimulant for prematurity with apneas that
cause bradycardia
Monteleukast (Singulair) - ANSWER leukotriene inhibitor; asthma prophylaxis; not for
acute attacks
Zafirlukast (Accolate) - ANSWER Leukotriene Inhibitor: helps control mild or moderate
asthma - this is a maintenance drug
Zileuton (Zyflo) - ANSWER Leukotriene Inhibitor :helps control mild or moderate
asthma
2
