Respiratory Pharmacology
Master bronchodilators, inhaled corticosteroids, biologics, mucolytics, pulmonary vasodilators, surfactants, and critical respiratory medications.
Built specifically for respiratory therapy students, NBRC preparation, ICU clinicians, and pulmonary medicine learners.
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Featured NBRC high-yield medications
Albuterol
SABA
Fast relief does not equal long-term control; frequent use suggests poor asthma or COPD control.
Ipratropium
SAMA
In acute COPD exacerbations, ipratropium is commonly paired with albuterol for additive bronchodilation.
Levalbuterol (Xopenex)
Short-Acting Beta2 Agonist (SABA)
Levo = Left alone. Only the active R-enantiomer remains.
Tiotropium
LAMA
Tiotropium = Twenty-four-hour anticholinergic.
DuoNeb (Albuterol + Ipratropium)
SABA + SAMA Combination Bronchodilator
DuoNeb = Duo bronchodilation: beta2 stimulation plus muscarinic blockade.
Ipratropium/Albuterol
SAMA/SABA combination
DuoNeb = SABA + SAMA
Medication Library
Browse by therapeutic class
Explore respiratory pharmacology in a study-friendly order, from rescue bronchodilators to biologics, surfactants, and ICU pharmacology.
Short-Acting Beta Agonists
SABA2 medicationsRescue bronchodilators used for rapid relief of bronchospasm.
Albuterol
SABA
Albuterol is a short-acting beta agonist used for rapid bronchodilation in acute bronchospasm. It works by stimulating beta-2 receptors, increasing cAMP, and relaxing bronchial smooth muscle. Expected side effects include tremor, tachycardia, palpitations, and possible hypokalemia. For NBRC-style questions, remember that albuterol is rescue therapy, not controller therapy.
Levalbuterol (Xopenex)
Short-Acting Beta2 Agonist (SABA)
Levo = Left alone. Only the active R-enantiomer remains.
Short-Acting Muscarinic Antagonists
SAMA1 medicationsAnticholinergic bronchodilators commonly tested in COPD exacerbation scenarios.
Long-Acting Beta Agonists
LABA3 medicationsMaintenance bronchodilators that should not be confused with rescue therapy.
Long-Acting Muscarinic Antagonists
LAMA2 medicationsMaintenance anticholinergic bronchodilators used heavily in COPD care.
Inhaled Corticosteroids
ICS2 medicationsAnti-inflammatory controller medications for asthma and selected COPD patients.
Combination Inhalers
COMBO5 medicationsHigh-yield mixed inhalers combining bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory effects.
DuoNeb (Albuterol + Ipratropium)
SABA + SAMA Combination Bronchodilator
DuoNeb = Duo bronchodilation: beta2 stimulation plus muscarinic blockade.
Ipratropium/Albuterol
SAMA/SABA combination
DuoNeb = SABA + SAMA
Advair
ICS/LABA
Advair = Fluticasone + Salmeterol
Symbicort
ICS/LABA
Symbicort = Budesonide + Formoterol
Trelegy
ICS/LAMA/LABA
Trelegy = Triple Therapy
Mucolytics and Mucoactive Therapy
MUC2 medicationsMedications that reduce secretion burden or mucus viscosity.
Pulmonary Vasodilators
PVD1 medicationsTherapies that lower pulmonary vascular tone and support oxygenation physiology.
Asthma Biologics
BIO4 medicationsTargeted monoclonal antibodies for severe asthma phenotypes.
Omalizumab
Anti-IgE monoclonal antibody
Omalizumab = Anti-IgE
Mepolizumab
Anti-IL-5 monoclonal antibody
Mepolizumab = Anti-IL-5
Benralizumab
Anti-IL-5 receptor monoclonal antibody
Benralizumab = Anti-IL-5R
Dupilumab
Anti-IL-4 receptor alpha monoclonal antibody
Dupilumab = Anti-IL-4Rα
PDE-4 Inhibitors
PDE41 medicationsOral anti-inflammatory COPD therapy focused on exacerbation reduction.
Methylxanthines
METH1 medicationsOlder bronchodilator therapy with a narrow therapeutic window.
Emergency Airway Medications
EAM1 medicationsRapid airway medications used in stridor, edema, and acute obstruction scenarios.
Surfactants
SURF1 medicationsNeonatal surfactant replacement therapy for respiratory distress syndrome.