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, Bronchodilators Overview
Bronchodilators are an important part of the pharmacotherapy for all respiratory diseases.
These drugs relax bronchial smooth muscle, which causes dilation of the bronchi and
bronchioles that are narrowed as a result of the disease process. There are three classes of
such drugs: beta adrenergic agonists, anticholinergics, and xanthine derivatives.
beta andregenic drug overview
The beta-adrenergic agonists are a group of drugs that are commonly used during the acute
phase of an asthmatic attack to quickly reduce airway constriction and restore airflow to
normal. They are agonists of the adrenergic receptors in the sympathetic nervous system.
The beta and alpha adrenergic receptors are discussed in Chapters 18 and 19. The beta
agonists imitate the effects of norepinephrine on beta receptors. For this reason, they are
also called sympathomimetic bronchodilators. The beta agonists are categorized by their
onset of action. Short-acting beta agonist (SABA) inhalers include albuterol (Ventolin),
levalbuterol (Xopenex), pirbuterol (Maxair), terbutaline (Brethine), and metaproterenol
(Alupent). Long-acting beta agonist (LABA) inhalers include arformoterol (Brovana),
formoterol (Foradil, Perforomist), and salmeterol (Serevent). The newest long-acting beta
agonists are indacterol (Arcapta Neohaler); vilanterol in conjunction with fluticasone (Breo
Ellipta); and vilanterol in conjunction with the anticholinergic umeclidinium (Anoro Ellipta).
The term Ellipta refers to a new delivery system. Because the long-acting beta agonists
(LABAs) have a longer onset of action, they must never be used for acute treatment.
Patients must be taught to use the short-acting beta agonist (SABA) as rescue treatment.
short acting beta agonist
albuterol (Ventolin), levalbuterol (Xopenex), pirbuterol (Maxair), terbutaline (Brethine), and
metaproterenol (Alupent).
Albuterol
Class : beta 2 agonist (short acting)
Indications and mechanisms of action: is a short-acting beta2-specific bronchodilating
beta agonist. Other similar drugs include bitolterol (Tornalate), levalbuterol (Xopenex),
pirbuterol (Maxair), and terbutaline (Brethine). Albuterol is the most commonly used drug in
this class. If albuterol is used too frequently, dose-related adverse effects may be seen,
because albuterol loses its beta2-specific actions, especially at larger dosages
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,page2
,page3
, Bronchodilators Overview
Bronchodilators are an important part of the pharmacotherapy for all respiratory diseases.
These drugs relax bronchial smooth muscle, which causes dilation of the bronchi and
bronchioles that are narrowed as a result of the disease process. There are three classes of
such drugs: beta adrenergic agonists, anticholinergics, and xanthine derivatives.
beta andregenic drug overview
The beta-adrenergic agonists are a group of drugs that are commonly used during the acute
phase of an asthmatic attack to quickly reduce airway constriction and restore airflow to
normal. They are agonists of the adrenergic receptors in the sympathetic nervous system.
The beta and alpha adrenergic receptors are discussed in Chapters 18 and 19. The beta
agonists imitate the effects of norepinephrine on beta receptors. For this reason, they are
also called sympathomimetic bronchodilators. The beta agonists are categorized by their
onset of action. Short-acting beta agonist (SABA) inhalers include albuterol (Ventolin),
levalbuterol (Xopenex), pirbuterol (Maxair), terbutaline (Brethine), and metaproterenol
(Alupent). Long-acting beta agonist (LABA) inhalers include arformoterol (Brovana),
formoterol (Foradil, Perforomist), and salmeterol (Serevent). The newest long-acting beta
agonists are indacterol (Arcapta Neohaler); vilanterol in conjunction with fluticasone (Breo
Ellipta); and vilanterol in conjunction with the anticholinergic umeclidinium (Anoro Ellipta).
The term Ellipta refers to a new delivery system. Because the long-acting beta agonists
(LABAs) have a longer onset of action, they must never be used for acute treatment.
Patients must be taught to use the short-acting beta agonist (SABA) as rescue treatment.
short acting beta agonist
albuterol (Ventolin), levalbuterol (Xopenex), pirbuterol (Maxair), terbutaline (Brethine), and
metaproterenol (Alupent).
Albuterol
Class : beta 2 agonist (short acting)
Indications and mechanisms of action: is a short-acting beta2-specific bronchodilating
beta agonist. Other similar drugs include bitolterol (Tornalate), levalbuterol (Xopenex),
pirbuterol (Maxair), and terbutaline (Brethine). Albuterol is the most commonly used drug in
this class. If albuterol is used too frequently, dose-related adverse effects may be seen,
because albuterol loses its beta2-specific actions, especially at larger dosages
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