These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.
Pubmed for Handhelds
PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS
Search MEDLINE/PubMed
Title: Choice of bronchodilator therapy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Author: Rennard SI. Journal: Respirology; 1997; 2 Suppl 1():S11-5. PubMed ID: 9400689. Abstract: The majority of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may derive benefit from bronchodilator therapy, particularly those patients with severe disease. Currently, three classes of bronchodilator are available: anticholinergics, beta 2-adrenergic agonists and methyl-xanthines. Several factors should be considered when choosing a bronchodilator. Inhaled therapy is generally preferred over oral treatment as the inhaled route reduces systemic exposure to the drug, whereas oral therapy has the advantages of convenience and ease of use. The anticholinergics (e.g. ipratropium bromide) and beta 2-agonists (e.g. salbutamol) are used via the inhaled route and have approximately equivalent acute bronchodilator effects; they differ pharmacokinetically in onset of effect and duration of action and the anticholinergic may be superior in its long-term effects on lung function.[Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]