More than 30 million Americans have lung disease, which may cause intermittent or chronic symptoms. Airway diseases include seasonal allergic rhinitis, Cheyne-Stokes respiration, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, and laryngitis, among others. Common symptoms of lung disease include difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, chronic cough, coughing up blood, or pain when breathing in or out. Lung diseases can result from smoking; exposure to gases, asbestos (a natural fiber), chemicals, or other irritants; and air or environmental pollution, among many other causes.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, is a slow, progressive airways disease that results in gradual loss of lung function. It also encompasses the lung condition called emphysema, which is when the walls between many of the air sacs in the lungs are destroyed. The number one risk factor for Other forms of tobacco smoking, exposure to second-hand smoke, and work-related dusts or chemicals also increase a person's risk of COPD. Signs and symptoms include productive cough; bluish tinge to the skin, lips, and nailbeds; shortness of breath; barrel chest; pursed-lips breathing; wheezing, weight loss, and swelling of feet and ankles.
Commonly Prescribed (On-Label) Drugs: Acetylcysteine, Azithromycin, Doxapram, Dyphylline, Formoterol, Ipratropium, Ipratropium/Albuterol, Isoetharine, Metaproterenol, Salmeterol, Salmeterol/Fluticasone, Theophylline, Tiotropium
Off-Label Prescription Drug Breakthrough Option: Methylprednisolone
Cystic fibrosis is a life-threatening lung disorder and can cause severe lung damage and nutritional deficiencies. It affects the cells that produce saliva, mucus, sweat, and digestive fluids in the body; in persons with cystic fibrosis, these secretions become thick and sticky. Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disorder caused by gene defects; the number one risk factor is a family history of the disease. Signs and symptoms of cystic fibrosis include a salty taste to the skin, bowel obstruction, delayed growth, thick sputum, and coughing and wheezing, among others. Respiratory failure is the most dangerous result of cystic fibrosis.
Commonly Prescribed (On-Label) Drugs: Acetylcysteine, Aztreonam, Ceftazidime, Chloramphenicol, Dornase Alfa, Fusidic Acid, Medium Chain Triglycerides, Pancrelipase, Ticarcillin/Clavulanic Acid, Tobramycin, Ursodiol
Off-Label Prescription Drugs Breakthrough Options: Ipratropium, Omeprazole
Inflammation of the larynx (voice box) as a result of irritation, overuse, or infection is called laryngitis. When vocal chords become irritated or inflamed, swelling occurs and results in distortion of sounds. Hoarseness and faintness of voice can result along with tickling sensations in the back of the throat, sore throat, and cough. Laryngitis can be acute or chronic; chronic laryngitis may be a sign of a more serious disorder. Causes of laryngitis include viral infections, bacterial infections, heavy smoking or alcohol consumption, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Commonly Prescribed (On-Label) Drugs: Omeprazole
Off-Label Prescription Drugs Breakthrough Options: Lansoprazole, Pantoprazole (Protonix)
An abnormal accumulation of fluid between the layers of the membrane that line the lungs and chest cavity (pleura) is known as pleural effusion. The two types of pleural effusions are transudative pleural effusions and exudative pleural effusions. Transudative effusions are normally caused by abnormal lung pressure (such as in congestive heart failure). Exudative effusions occur from pleural inflammation (such as in instances of lung disease). Symptoms of pleural effusion include shortness of breath, chest pain, cough, hiccups, and rapid breathing; however, there may be no symptoms in some cases.
Commonly Prescribed (On-Label) Drugs: Bleomycin, Talc
Off-Label Prescription Drugs Breakthrough Options: Alteplase, Streptokinase
Pulmonary edema is a condition where increased pressure in the blood vessels of the lungs forces fluid into the air sacs and prevents absorption of oxygen. Usually, heart problems are the main cause of pulmonary edema; other causes include pneumonia, exercise, or the use of certain drugs. Signs and symptoms of pulmonary edema include extreme shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, wheezing, anxiety or restlessness, a cough that produces frothy sputum and that may contain blood, excessive sweating, pale skin, and chest pain.
Commonly Prescribed (On-Label) Drugs: Ethacrynic Acid, Furosemide, Trimethaphan
Off-Label Prescription Drugs Breakthrough Options: Captopril, Dobutamine, Dopamine, Enalapril, Ipratropium, Milrinone, Morphine, Nitroglycerin IV, Norepinephrine, Nitroprusside
Sarcoidosis is a systemic disease involving inflammation that produces microscopic lumps of cells in body organs. Granulomas can grow and come together to form large and small groups of these lumps, and can affect the lungs, lymph nodes, skin, eyes, and liver function. In some instances, sarcoidosis may scar the tissues in certain body organs and affect the way they work.
Commonly Prescribed (On-Label) Drugs: Betamethasone, Cortisone, Dexamethasone, Methylprednisolone, Prednisolone, Prednisone, Triamcinolone
Off-Label Prescription Drugs Breakthrough Options: Azathioprine, Budesonide, Chloroquine, Cyclophosphamide, Hydroxychloroquine, Infliximab, Methotrexate, Pentoxifylline, Thalidomide
Seasonal allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, happens when the body's immune system overreacts to particles such as ragweed, plant pollens, and mold spores. During an allergic attack, a chemical called histamine is released from cells in the body. This chemical release opens blood vessels in the body and results in symptoms such as runny and/or itchy nose, nasal congestion, and sneezing. Seasonal allergic rhinitis is very common; affected individuals have symptoms during the spring and fall. It condition may coexist with asthma in some individuals.
Commonly Prescribed (On-Label) Drugs: Acrivastine, Cyproheptadine, Desloratadine, Desloratadine/Pseudoephedrine, Dexchlorpheniramine, Fexofenadine, Flunisolide, Loratadine/Pseudoephedrine, Mometasone, Pheniramine, Tetrahydrozoline
Off-Label Prescription Drug Breakthrough Option: Zafirlukast
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