Antitussive Medications

Example of an opioid antitussive

codeine (robitussin A-C, Dimetane-DC)

Productive cough

congested, removes excessive secretions

Example of a nonopioid antitussive

dextromethorphan (Robitussive-DM)

Antitussives

drugs used to stop or reduce coughing -opioid v nonopioid

Nonproductive cough

dry cough

Types of coughs

productive nonproductive

Cough Physiology

respiratory secretions and foreign objects are naturally removed by the cough reflex -induces coughing and expectoration -initiated by irritation of sensory receptors in the respiratory tract (reflex to remove an irritant)

What are the main adverse/side effects of antitussives?

sedation effects GI upset nausea

What is an indication for antitussives?

stop the cough reflex when the cough is nonproductive and/or harmful

Antitussive (Opioid) MOA

suppress the cough reflex by direct action on the cough center int he medulla

Antitussive (nonopioid) MOA

suppress the cough reflex by numbing the stretch receptors in the respiratory tract and preventing the cough reflex from being stimulated