%0 Journal Article %A Dennis M Williams %A Bruce K Rubin %T Clinical Pharmacology of Bronchodilator Medications %D 2018 %R 10.4187/respcare.06051 %J Respiratory Care %P 641-654 %V 63 %N 6 %X 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. %U https://rc.rcjournal.com/content/respcare/63/6/641.full.pdf