Respiratory pharmacology

There are several categories of respiratory drugs, each specific to a drug's purpose and mode of action. The following is a list of key pharmaceuticals in the prevention and treatment of respiratory-related ailments.

Ultra Short-Acting

 * Epinephrine
 * Racemic epinephrine
 * Isoetharine

Short-Acting

 * Metaproterenol
 * Albuterol
 * Pirbuterol
 * Levalbuterol

Long-Acting

 * Salmeterol
 * Formoterol
 * Arformoterol

Anticholinergic (Parasympatholytic) Bronchodilators

 * Ipratropium bromide
 * Tiotropium bromide

Xanthines

 * Theophylline
 * Oxtriphylline
 * Aminophylline
 * Dyphylline

Mucus-controlling agents

 * Acetylcysteine (10%,20%)
 * Dornase alfa
 * Hypertonic saline (3-10%)

Surfactants

 * Beractant
 * Calfactant
 * Poractant alfa

Corticosteroids

 * Beclomethasone (dipropionate)
 * Triamcinolone acetonide
 * Flunisolide (hemihydrate)
 * Fluticasone (propionate)
 * Budesonide
 * Mometasone furoate

Cromolyn-like agents

 * Cromolyn sodium
 * Nedocromil sodium

Antileukotrienes

 * Zafirlukast
 * Montelukast
 * Zileuton

Monoclonal Antibody

 * Omalizumab

Aerosolized Antiinfective agents

 * Pentamidine isethionate
 * Ribavirin
 * Tobramycin
 * Zanamivir

Smoking Cessation Drugs

 * Nicotine transdermal (patch)
 * Nicotine polacrilex
 * Bupropion
 * Varenicline

Other Important Respiratory Medications

 * α1-Proteinase Inhibitors
 * Nitric Oxide (gas)
 * Heliox (gas)
 * Epoprostenol