Bronchodilators

Topic: Pharmacology

Drugs that relax bronchial smooth muscle to open the airways: short- and long-acting beta-2 agonists (e.g., salbutamol, also called albuterol), anticholinergics (e.g., ipratropium, tiotropium) and theophylline. Short-acting agents relieve acute symptoms and long-acting ones are for maintenance. In asthma (GINA), a short-acting agent is not used as the only treatment, and a long-acting beta-2 agonist is never used alone, only with an inhaled corticosteroid. They can cause tachycardia, palpitations and tremor. Teach inhaler and spacer technique, and reassess breath sounds afterwards.

Also known as:

Beta-2 agonists

In Turkish:

Bronkodilatörler