ENT Drug Introduction ENT medications can be broken down into the following categories antihistamines antitussives/expectorants decongestants nasal steroid preparations ENT Drug Table Antihistamines Sedating Name Mechanism of Action Key Indication Key Toxicity Chlorpheniramine Cyproheptadine Diphenhydramine Dimehydrinate 1st generation antihistamine (H1 blocker) Antiserotonergic properties (cyproheptadine) Allergies Motion sickness Insomnia Serotonin syndrome (cyproheptadine) Sedation Orthostatic hypotension Antimuscarinic Confusion (cyproheptadine) Non-Sedating Name Mechanism of Action Key Indication Key Toxicity Cetrizine Fexofenadine Loratadine 2nd generation H1 blocker Allergies Minor sedation Antitussives/Expectorants Name Mechanism of Action Key Indication Key Toxicity Benzonatate Decreases sensitivity of stretch receptors in airways Cough Expectorant (guaifenesin) Pain (hydrocodone) Sedation Dysphagia Dextromethorphan NMDA antagonist Mild opioid effects Cough Expectorant (guaifenesin) Pain (hydrocodone) Rash Nausea Sedation Constipation Guaifenesin Increases volume and decreases viscosity of oral secretions Cough Expectorant (guaifenesin) Pain (hydrocodone) Nausea Vomiting Kidney stones Hydrocodone Opioid agonist Cough Expectorant (guaifenesin) Pain (hydrocodone) Nausea Vomiting Constipation Sedation Decongestants Name Mechanism of Action Key Indication Key Toxicity Phenylpropanolamine α/β adrenergic agonist D1 partial agonist Upper airway congestion Appetite suppression Tachycardia Sweating Dry mucous membranes Arrhythmias Psuedoephedrine Adrenergic agonist (α, β2) Congestion Hypertension Insomnia Agitation Palpitations Nasal Steroid Preparations Name Mechanism of Action Key Indication Key Toxicity Beclomethasone Budesonide Fluticasone Mometasone Triamcinolone Glucocorticoid Anti-inflammatory Congestion Inflammatory bowel disease (budesonide, 1st pass liver metabolism) Eczema (triamcinolone) Cushingoid effects hypertension muscle wasting central obesity (psychosis)