{"id":207,"date":"2019-11-12T17:49:33","date_gmt":"2019-11-12T22:49:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/nursingpharmacology\/chapter\/5-8-antitussives\/"},"modified":"2022-01-21T18:32:49","modified_gmt":"2022-01-21T23:32:49","slug":"5-8-antitussives","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/nursingpharmacology\/chapter\/5-8-antitussives\/","title":{"raw":"5.8 Antitussives","rendered":"5.8 Antitussives"},"content":{"raw":"

Antitussives<\/h3>\r\nAntitussives are frequently used to prevent cold and flu symptoms. In this chapter, we will review one commonly used specific antitussive called Dextromethorphan.\r\n\r\nDextromethorphan is an example of an antitussive (see Figure 5.8[footnote]\"Robitussin Cough Cold Flu Congestion decongestant Relief Medicine<\/a>\" by Mike Mozart<\/a> is licensed under CC BY 2.0<\/a>[\/footnote]<\/sup>).\r\n\r\n\"\"\r\n\r\nMechanism of Action<\/strong>\r\n\r\nDextromethorphan suppresses a cough by depressing the cough center in the medulla oblongata or the cough receptors in the throat, trachea, or lungs, effectively elevating the threshold for coughing.\r\n\r\nIndication for Use<\/strong>\r\n\r\nAntitussives are used for a dry, hacking, nonproductive cough that interferes with rest and sleep.\r\n\r\nNursing Considerations Across the Lifespan<\/strong>\r\n\r\nThis medication is not safe for children under the age of 4 years.\r\n\r\nAdverse\/Side Effects<\/strong>\r\n\r\nThe most common side effects include nausea and drowsiness. Some clients may experience a rash or difficulty breathing. High doses may cause hallucinations and disassociation, and the drug has been reported to be used as a recreational drug.[footnote]Frandsen, G. & Pennington, S. (2018). Abrams\u2019 clinical drug: Rationales for nursing practice <\/em>(11th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.[\/footnote]\r\n\r\nClient Teaching & Education<\/strong>\r\n\r\nClients should take care to avoid irritants that stimulate their cough.\u00a0 Additionally, antitussive medications can cause drowsiness, and clients should avoid taking them with other CNS depressants or alcohol.[footnote]uCentral from Unbound Medicine. https:\/\/www.unboundmedicine.com\/ucentral<\/a>[\/footnote]<\/sup>\r\n\r\nNow let's take a closer look at the medication card on dextromethorphan in Table 5.8.[footnote]This work is a derivative of\u00a0Pharmacology Notes: Nursing Implications for Clinical Practice<\/a>\u00a0by\u00a0Gloria Velarde<\/a>\u00a0licensed under\u00a0CC BY-NC-SA 4.0<\/a>.[\/footnote], [footnote]Frandsen, G. & Pennington, S. (2018).\u00a0Abrams\u2019 clinical drug: Rationales for nursing practice\u00a0<\/em>(11th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.[\/footnote], [footnote]This work is a derivative of\u00a0Daily Med<\/a>\u00a0by\u00a0U.S. National Library of Medicine<\/a>\u00a0in the public domain<\/a>. [\/footnote]<\/span><\/sup>\r\n\r\nTable 5.8 Dextromethorphan Medication Card\r\n\r\n\"\"","rendered":"

Antitussives<\/h3>\n

Antitussives are frequently used to prevent cold and flu symptoms. In this chapter, we will review one commonly used specific antitussive called Dextromethorphan.<\/p>\n

Dextromethorphan is an example of an antitussive (see Figure 5.8[1]<\/sup><\/a><\/sup>).<\/p>\n

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Mechanism of Action<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dextromethorphan suppresses a cough by depressing the cough center in the medulla oblongata or the cough receptors in the throat, trachea, or lungs, effectively elevating the threshold for coughing.<\/p>\n

Indication for Use<\/strong><\/p>\n

Antitussives are used for a dry, hacking, nonproductive cough that interferes with rest and sleep.<\/p>\n

Nursing Considerations Across the Lifespan<\/strong><\/p>\n

This medication is not safe for children under the age of 4 years.<\/p>\n

Adverse\/Side Effects<\/strong><\/p>\n

The most common side effects include nausea and drowsiness. Some clients may experience a rash or difficulty breathing. High doses may cause hallucinations and disassociation, and the drug has been reported to be used as a recreational drug.[2]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

Client Teaching & Education<\/strong><\/p>\n

Clients should take care to avoid irritants that stimulate their cough.\u00a0 Additionally, antitussive medications can cause drowsiness, and clients should avoid taking them with other CNS depressants or alcohol.[3]<\/sup><\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

Now let’s take a closer look at the medication card on dextromethorphan in Table 5.8.[4]<\/sup><\/a>, [5]<\/sup><\/a>, [6]<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/sup><\/p>\n

Table 5.8 Dextromethorphan Medication Card<\/p>\n

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Media Attributions<\/h2>