Decongestants
- Systemic Pharmacotherapeutics of the Respiratory System
- Overview of Systemic Pharmacotherapeutics of the Respiratory System
- Antitussive Drugs
- Species Approach to Inflammatory Airway Disease
- Systemic Therapy of Inflammatory Airway Disease
- Inhalation Therapy of Airway Disease
- Expectorants and Mucolytic Drugs
- Decongestants
- Respiratory Stimulants
Decongestants are commonly used in people to treat allergic rhinitis, but they are rarely used for this purpose in animals. The α-adrenergic agonist drugs cause local vasoconstriction in mucous membranes, which reduces swelling and edema. They are used topically as nasal decongestants in allergic and viral rhinitis, or systemically in combination with antihistamines as respiratory tract decongestants. Antihistamines are effective for treatment of allergic rhinitis in people when combined with the α-adrenergic agonist drugs, but their effectiveness in animals has not been demonstrated. The topical α-adrenergic agonist drugs act within minutes with few adverse effects, but extended use may cause rebound hyperemia and mucosal damage. Systemic administration can result in hypertension, cardiac stimulation, urinary retention, CNS stimulation, and mydriasis. Systemic administration of antihistamines often causes sedation.
- Systemic Pharmacotherapeutics of the Respiratory System
- Overview of Systemic Pharmacotherapeutics of the Respiratory System
- Antitussive Drugs
- Species Approach to Inflammatory Airway Disease
- Systemic Therapy of Inflammatory Airway Disease
- Inhalation Therapy of Airway Disease
- Expectorants and Mucolytic Drugs
- Decongestants
- Respiratory Stimulants
Also of Interest
Test your knowledge
Dogs and cats with left-side congestive heart failure (CHF) can develop respiratory distress due to pulmonary edema. Which of the following intravenous diuretics is the most appropriate treatment for life-threatening pulmonary edema caused by CHF?