Bronchoconstriction: Anticholinergics (Nursing)

00:01 Okay now next stop in bronchoconstriction.

00:04 We've talked about the beta-2 adrenergic agonist in other videos, we've tallked about the theophyllines.

00:09 Now we're gonna look at the anticholinergic medications.

00:13 They block the muscarinic receptors in the lungs So they're still blocking receptors, just a different kind in the lungs.

00:19 They're hitting the muscarinic receptors and this will decrease the bronchoconstriction.

00:24 Now, off-label use for asthma, but we usually this predominantly with patients with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) But there is an off-label use for asthma so it's not uncommon for you to see an asthma patient taking the anticholinergic.

00:41 It will be because they've worked with their healthcare provider and found what worked best for them.

00:47 So predominantly used for COPDs.

00:50 So write yourself a note under the "C" in anticholinergics that we use this for COPD predominantly but you may also see it with asthma patients.

00:59 So ipratropium, tiotropium - these are examples of anticholinergic medications.

01:06 And look, they end in -opium.

01:08 So they're not opioids, these are antimuscarinics but they have that last 4-5 letter in common, so you might wanna underscore those to help you remember the drug names.

01:19 Now, they have relatively minimal systemic side effects.

01:23 That's pretty cool.

01:24 So they're not gonna get so jittery like you did with all the other medications but it can really dry out their mouth.

01:31 So patients will really complain about this side effect, it's not a deal killer but you wanna help work with your patients because it is uncomfortable to have a dry mouth.

01:41 So anticholinergic medications cause a really drying of the mucous membranes so just encourage your patient to maybe uptake their intake of water a little bit and that should help.

01:51 It can also kind of irritate the pharynx.

01:54 That's not as common, I haven't seen that as often with my patients but I have definitely heard them complain about the dry mouth with anticholinergic medications.

02:04 So, this family of medication also works on the receptors of the lungs.

02:09 So which medications have we talked about that worked on another type of receptor in your lungs? Hey, hopefully you remembered.

02:17 that repiratory medications work on beta-2 receptors in the lungs.

02:22 Anticholinergics work on the muscarinic receptors.

02:26 Good job.