RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Clinical Pharmacology of Bronchodilator Medications
JF Respiratory Care
FD American Association for Respiratory Care
SP 641
OP 654
DO 10.4187/respcare.06051
VO 63
IS 6
A1 Dennis M Williams
A1 Bruce K Rubin
YR 2018
UL http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/63/6/641.abstract
AB 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.