6 Types of Commonly Used Lung Drugs

There are various lung medications that can be used to treat or relieve symptoms of lung disease. This drug consists of various types with different ways of working, so its use needs to be adjusted to the type of lung disease and the symptoms that appear.

The use of lung drugs needs to be carried out according to the doctor's instructions so that the lung disease suffered can be resolved. This disease can be caused by many things, ranging from smoking habits, exposure to toxic substances, air pollution, to bacterial, fungal and viral infections that attack the lungs.

There are also various types of lung disease, including asthma, pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchitis, emphysema, and lung cancer.

Different Types of Lung Drugs

Lung medicines should not be used carelessly so that the medicine can work according to its function. Therefore, you need to consult with your doctor regarding the type of lung medicine that should be used. That way, the lung disease that you suffer can be handled and controlled properly.

The following are several types of lung medications that doctors can prescribe:

1. Fast-acting beta-2 agonist bronchodilators

Bronchodilators are a type of lung medicine to improve breathing, because they can relax the muscles in the lungs and widen the respiratory tract. One of the most commonly used types is beta-2 agonists.

Some beta-2 agonists work fast and some slow. Fast-acting beta-2 agonists (SABA), for example salbutamol and terbutaline, are often used to treat sudden shortness of breath, for example when having an asthma attack.

However, its effectiveness only lasts for 4–6 hours. In addition, if it is used too often as a single treatment, SABA is thought to increase the risk of recurrent shortness of breath

2. Slow acting beta-2 agonist bronchodilators

Slow acting beta-2 agonist bronchodilators (LABA) do work longer than SABAs, but can last for 12 hours. This type of bronchodilator is used as therapy to prevent recurrent shortness of breath and control symptoms in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma.

Some examples of LABA that are commonly used are formoterol and salmeterol. There is also a combination between LABA and other drugs, such as corticosteroids.

3. Anticholinergic

Actually, anticholinergic drugs also include bronchodilators which function to prevent and control symptoms of shortness of breath due to lung diseases, such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and COPD.

Examples of these lung drugs are ipratropium and tiotropium. These drugs are available in the form of solutions or aerosols which are inhaled with the help of a nebulizer or inhaler

4. Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids are a drug that can be used to treat lung disease. The way corticosteroids work in treating lung disease is by reducing inflammation and swelling that occurs in the respiratory tract This drug can also be used to relieve shortness of breath. To treat lung disease, corticosteroids are sometimes used in combination with bronchodilators so they can work more optimally.

5. Antibiotics

If your lung disease is caused by a bacterial infection, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics. This drug works by killing and inhibiting the growth of bacteria that cause lung disease

The type of antibiotic drug will usually be adjusted to the bacteria causing the infection and its severity. Medications that have been prescribed need to be consumed until they run out even though the symptoms of the disease have subsided

This is done so that the infection can be fully treated and prevent the occurrence of antibiotic resistance. Several types of antibiotic drugs that are usually prescribed to treat lung disease are azithromycin, clarithromycin, amoxicillin, doxycyline, or erythromycin.

6. Antivirus

The doctor will prescribe antiviral drugs if the lung disease is caused by a viral infection. Administration of antiviral drugs is generally adjusted to the type of virus that causes it.

The administration of antiviral drugs can increase the body's immunity, so that the body can fight viruses that cause lung disease properly. In addition, this drug is also able to relieve symptoms and stop the spread of the virus

There are various antiviral drugs that are usually used to treat lung disease, including oseltamivir, zanamivir, and peramivir.

Lung Drug Support Therapy

In addition to prescribing the lung medication above, the doctor will also recommend that you undergo supporting therapy to treat the lung disease you are suffering from. Supportive therapy that may be recommended includes:

Oxygen therapy

This therapy is generally needed for people with lung disease who experience shortness of breath or even difficulty breathing, so they are unable to breathe oxygen properly.

Pulmonary rehabilitation

Doctors may also advise people with lung disease to undergo pulmonary rehabilitation so they can breathe better. One type of therapy that is done is breathing exercises

Patients with lung disease will be guided by a therapist to learn various types of breathing techniques, both in a sitting and lying position.

Sports

If the symptoms of shortness of breath have subsided, sufferers are also advised to exercise regularly. The reason is, physical activity can strengthen the respiratory muscles so that sufferers can breathe better

That's lung medicine along with other supporting therapies to treat lung disease. Keep in mind that this treatment should not be done carelessly and must be according to doctor's recommendations.

If you are undergoing treatment with lung medicine or are recovering from a lung disease, don't forget to regularly check your health with your doctor. In addition to monitoring the lung disease that you are suffering from, the doctor will also assess the success of the treatment and possible side effects.

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