BRONCHODILATORS
Bronchodilators open your airways. They can be administered as pills, liquids, or inhalers.
There are two main classes of bronchodilators: beta-agonists and anticholinergics. The combination of these two classes of drugs may be more effective than either of them used alone.
Beta-agonists work by relaxing the muscles surrounding the airways. Some beta-agonists available in Canada are: fenoterol, metaproterenol, procaterol, salbutamol, and terbutaline.
The most common side effect of taking beta-agonists is muscle tremor. This side effect often diminishes after taking the medication for several weeks.
High doses of beta-agonists can cause adverse effects such as a change in blood pressure, increase in heart rate, restlessness, apprehension and headaches.
Anticholinergic drugs block the chemical produced by our bodies that normally causes the airways to contract. They also decrease mucous secretions. A commonly prescribed anticholinergic is ipratropium bromide.
Atropine, from which ipratropium bromide is derived, is no longer used to treat COPD because it can cause increased heart rate and urinary retention. Anticholinergic drugs may not be suitable for people with urinary retention, or for those who have or are predisposed to glaucoma.
Anticholinergic drugs block the chemical produced by our bodies that normally causes the airways to contract. They also decrease mucous secretions. A commonly prescribed anticholinergic is ipratropium bromide.
Anti-cholinergics are available in short-acting medications and long acting medications.
Common beta-agonists include:
Short-acting:
salbutamol sulfate (Ventolin®, Airomir™)
terbutaline sulfate (Bricanyl®)
Short-acting:
Salmeterol xinafoate (Serevent®)
Both short-acting and long-acting:
formoterol fumarate dihydrate (Oxeze®)
Common Anticholinergics include:
Short-acting:
Ipratropium bromide (Atrovent®)
Long-acting:
Tiotropium bromide (Spiriva®)
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