Clinical Pharmacology of Bronchodilator Medications

Obstructive lung diseases, including asthma and COPD, are characterized by air-flow limitation. Bronchodilator therapy can often decrease symptoms of air-flow obstruction by relaxing airway smooth muscle (bronchodilation), decreasing dyspnea, and improving quality of life. In this review, we discuss...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Respiratory care Vol. 63; no. 6; pp. 641 - 654
Main Authors: Williams, Dennis M, Rubin, Bruce K
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States Daedalus Enterprises, Inc 01-06-2018
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Summary:Obstructive lung diseases, including asthma and COPD, are characterized by air-flow limitation. Bronchodilator therapy can often decrease symptoms of air-flow obstruction by relaxing airway smooth muscle (bronchodilation), decreasing dyspnea, and improving quality of life. In this review, we discuss the pharmacology of the β agonist and anticholinergic bronchodilators and their use, particularly in asthma and COPD. Expanding knowledge of receptor subtypes and G-protein signaling, agonist and antagonist specificity, and drug delivery have led to the introduction of safer medications with fewer off-target effects, medications with longer duration of action that may improve adherence, and more effective and efficient aerosol delivery devices.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-2
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ISSN:0020-1324
1943-3654
DOI:10.4187/respcare.06051