NEET MDS Lessons
Pharmacology
OXYMETAZOLINE
It is a directly acting sympathomimetic amine used in symptomatic relief in nasal congestion which increases mucosal secretion.
It is used:
- As a nasal decongestant in allergic rhinitis, with or without the addition of antazoline or sodium chromoglycate.
- As an ocular decongestant in allergic conjunctivitis.
Compounds like naphazoline and xylometazoline are relatively selective α2 agonists, which on topical application produce local vasoconstriction.
PHARYNGEAL DEMULCENTS
Administered in the form of lozenges, cough drops and cough linctus.
Produce soothing action on throat directly and by increasing the flow of saliva and provide symptomatic relief from dry cough.
EXPECTORANT
Expectorants are the drugs which increase the production of bronchial secretion and reduce its viscosity to facilitate its removal by coughing.
ANTITUSSIVES
They are central cough suppressants and act centrally to raise the threshold of cough centre and inhibit the cough reflex by suppressing the coordinating cough centre in the medulla oblongata.
Codeine - it depresses cough centre but is less constipating and abuse liability is low.
Pholcodeine is similar to codeine in efficacy and is longer acting. It has no analgesic or addicting property.
Noscapine is another opium alkaloid of benzylisoquinoline group. It is used as antitussive with no analgesic and drug abuse or drug dependence property.
Dextromethorphan is a synthetic compound and its dextroisomer is used as antitussive and is as effective as codeine
Pipazethate is another synthetic compound of phenothiazine category used as antitussive with little analgesic and sedative properties.
ANTIHISTAMINICS
They do not act on cough centre but provide relief due to their sedative and anticholinergic action.
BRONCHODILATORS
Bronchodilators are helpful in individuals with cough and bronchoconstriction due to bronchial hyperreactivity. They help by improving the effectiveness of cough in clearing secretions.