I've had pneumonia several times in my life (mostly as a kid--both my parents were chain smokers), and bronchitis more times than I remember. I'm not asthmatic, though it's possible I'm borderline.
Respiratory illnesses are my achilles heel. One thing I always have on hand is Primatene. The guaifenesin loosens up mucus and the ephedrine opens up your respiratory tract so it's easier to breath--both improving nasal congestion, and also, AFAIU, helping with oxygen uptake in inflamed lungs. I have to be proactive because a simple cold can lead to bronchitis, and bronchitis can lead to pneumonia.
Any doctors, please opine, but I believe that if you have pneumonia (obvious infection, shortness of breath, etc) and are unable to get medical treatment, having some ephedrine on hand might be worthwhile. A quick search through the medical literature shows that ephedrine is apparently used precisely to improve oxygenation for acute respiratory distress (not just for asthmatics, obviously, but sometimes in surgery and in other cases).
The critical question would be counter-indications. The doctors I've run my cold treatment by always remind me that Guaifenesin and ephedrine both increase blood pressure, so that's something to keep in mind. (Fortunately, I don't have high-blood pressure.) But how that would figure into an acute distress situation, I dunno. I'm sure that in any particular context doctors probably know of many other counter-indications.
Primatene, Bronkaid, and similar generics are the only way to get ephedrine OTC, and they always include guaifenesin, so be mindful of dosages for both drugs. I just picked up a box of Primatene just in case as I forgot how much I had left at home. They're usually on the front shelves behind the pharmacist; don't bother hunting for one of the placards in the store aisle.
