Medicine used to treat respiratory conditions

[tinkerbell419]

Hello NICU gang,

I am looking for some help on 3 common medications which are used to treat neonatal respiratory conditions and stuck. I thought about Caffeine Citrate but isnt that used to treat apneoa?

Ive heard of dexamethasone and betamethasone but not entirely sure how they work and their effects.

I welcome any advice or help.

[Baby Wrangler]

I think dexamethasone is a good pick. We also use budesonide, an inhaled corticosteroid to help with chronic lung disease in our microprems. Here's an article:

Postnatal corticosteroids to treat or prevent chronic lung disease in preterm infants | Position statements and practice points | Canadian Paediatric Society

Also, what about BLESS surfactant? I would consider it a medication. And it's definitely used commonly in the microprems.

[tinkerbell419]

Ahh I was going to ask about surfactant but I understand its a protein, like a substance so wasnt sure if it was really classified as a medicine. But I will include it.

Thanks.

[R1515J]

Do your patients ever get neb treatments? Albuterol is used frequently in my unit.

[erinvansam]

Don't forget theophylline and nitric oxide!

Those along with caffeine citrate, surfactants, and dexamethasone are the ones we use most often on our unit.

[morgan_porgan]

I would say nitric oxide, albuterol, pulmicort, and/or dexamethasone!

[tinkerbell419]

Thankyou for your help. I will take a look at those medicines you have all listed. ☺

[NICURN29]

Betamethasone is given during the pregnancy, so I would not say that qualifies.

There is also Lasix, Aldactone, Diuril, and/or Aldactazide, which are often used to help us wean babies off respiratory support.

The nebs we most often use are Xopenex and Pulmicort.

We use Survanta and dexamethasone (using the DART protocol) as well.

[tinkerbell419]

Thankyou for your help