Of great importance for human life is the respiratory system. Weakened immunity and various infections can provoke respiratory diseases, which immediately affects the quality of life. To treat such diseases, doctors use bronchodilators. Next, we consider how these drugs work, their classification and use in various diseases of the respiratory organs.
What are bronchodilators
Bronchodilators include drugs and drugs that relieve bronchospasm, and also fight the causes of narrowing of the bronchi.
Under what diseases such conditions can occur, we will consider further.
What diseases are bronchodilators used for?
There are a number of diseases in which the following symptoms may develop:
- Bronchospasm.
- Edema.
- Hypersecretion of mucus.
- The narrowing of the bronchi.
The development of such symptoms is possible with the following diseases:
- COPD
- Bronchial asthma.
- Obstructive acute bronchitis.
- Obliterating bronchiolitis.
- Bronchiectatic disease.
- Cystic fibrosis.
- Ciliary Dyskinesia Syndrome.
- Bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
For the prevention of bronchospasm, different types of bronchodilators can be used.
Types of bronchodilators
The pharmaceutical industry produces several types of drugs from this group:
- Tablets.
- Syrups.
- Medications for injection.
- Inhalers.
- Nebulizers.
You can also subdivide into several classes of bronchodilators.
Classification and list of drugs
- Adrenomimetics . This group includes drugs that can stop attacks of bronchial obstruction. Due to the activation of adrenergic receptors, the muscles of the bronchi relax. If we consider these bronchodilators, the list of drugs will be as follows:
- "Epinephrine."
- Isoprenaline.
- "Salbutamol."
- Fenoterol.
- "Ephedrine".
2. M-anticholinergics. Also used to block attacks of bronchial obstruction. Drugs in this group do not enter the bloodstream and do not have a systemic effect. They are allowed to be used only for inhalation. You can add the following medicines to the list:
- "Atropine sulfate."
- "Metacin."
- "Ipratropium bromide."
- Berodual.
3. Inhibitors of phosphodiesterase. They stop attacks of brooch obstruction, relaxing the smooth muscles of the bronchi, by depositing calcium in the endoplasmic reticulum by reducing its amount inside the cell. Peripheral ventilation, diaphragm function improves. This group includes:
- Theophylline.
- "Theobromine".
- "Eufillin."
The use of these drugs can cause dizziness, tachycardia, a sharp decrease in blood pressure.
4. Stabilizers of mast cell membranes. They are used exclusively for the prevention of bronchial spasm. Calcium channels are blocked and there is an obstacle to the entry of calcium into the mast cells, thereby disrupting their degranulation and histamine output. At the time of the attack, these drugs are already ineffective. Bronchodilators are used in the form of tablets or inhalations. The list of drugs is as follows:
- Cromoline.
- "Undercropped."
- Ketotifen.
5. Corticosteroids. These drugs are used in the treatment of complex forms of bronchial asthma. It can also be used for prevention and for relieving attacks of bronchospasm. The following medicines must be added to the list:
- "Hydrocortisone."
- "Prednisolone."
- "Dexamethasone."
- "Triamycinolone."
- Beclomethasone.
6. Calcium channel blockers. Used to stop attacks of bronchial obstruction. Due to the blocking of calcium channels, calcium does not enter the cell, as a result, the bronchi relax. The spasm decreases, the coronary and peripheral vessels expand. The drugs of this group include:
- "Nifedipine."
- "Isradipine."
7 . Preparations with antileukotriene action. Blocking leukotriene receptors helps to relax the bronchi. Use this type of medicine in order to prevent attacks of bronchial obstruction.
They are very effective in treating diseases that arise as a result of prolonged use of non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs. The following medicines belong to this category:
- "Zafirlukast."
- Montelukast.
Concluding, it should be said that bronchodilators direct their action primarily on the relaxation of the bronchi, but in different ways. Given these features of bronchodilators, concomitant diseases of the patient and the characteristics of the body, an effective treatment can be prescribed.
Spirography with bronchodilator
To examine patients who often have respiratory diseases, spirography is prescribed. Most often in cases where there are the following symptoms:
- A cough that has not stopped for a long time.
- Dyspnea.
- Wheezing and whistling are heard in the breath.
- If breathing difficulties occur.
This examination method allows you to identify changes in lung volume and their functionality. This procedure is absolutely safe, but it gives a lot of information for prescribing an effective treatment.
For spirography, bronchodilators can be used. The list of drugs may include the following drugs:
Spirography with a bronchodilator is performed before and after taking the medicine to find out how the drug affects the functioning of the lungs. And also, if you use drugs that relax the bronchi, determine whether the bronchospasm is reversible or irreversible. The medicine is taken with a nebulizer or aerosol.
Relieving asthma attacks
Let us focus on drugs that are used for asthma. Bronchodilators in asthma are the most important drugs that are necessary for an asthmatic, both to relieve sudden attacks and to prevent them. These include the following types of bronchodilators:
- Beta agonists.
- Anticholinergic drugs.
- Theophylline.
Medicines of the first two groups are best taken with an inhaler or nebulizer.
In the event of an asthma attack, urgent care is necessary, for this use short-acting inhalation bronchodilators. They very quickly relieve bronchospasm by opening the bronchi. In a matter of minutes, bronchodilators can alleviate the patient’s condition, and the effect will remain for 2-4 hours. Using an inhaler or nebulizer, you can relieve an attack of bronchospasm at home. This method of drug intake in the respiratory system reduces the number of possible side effects, in contrast to taking pills or injections, which necessarily enter the bloodstream.
Using short-acting bronchodilators for bouts, you must remember that this is just an ambulance. If you need to use them more than twice a week, you should consult a doctor. It may be necessary to tighten control over the course of the disease, perhaps treatment methods need to be reviewed.
We control attacks with bronchodilators
In order to keep seizures under control, it is necessary to use long-acting bronchodilators. They can also be taken with inhalation. The effect will last up to 12 hours. These drugs include the following:
- "Formoterol." It begins to act in 5-10 minutes. It can be used both for relieving seizures and for treating them. It can be used for children, but only under the supervision of adults.
- "Salmetorol." Also relieves seizures within minutes. The effect lasts up to 12 hours. This drug may only be used by adults.
Bronchitis treatment
Of course, often bronchodilators are often necessary for bronchitis. Especially in the event that the disease has passed into a chronic stage or bronchial obstruction is observed. Many bronchodilators can be used to treat bronchitis. The list of drugs may look like this:
- Isadrin.
- Ipradol.
- "Salbutamol."
- Berodual.
- "Eufillin."
A very good effect in the treatment of bronchitis is achieved if bronchodilators for inhalation are used with a nebulizer or inhaler. In this case, a bronchodilator, such as Salbutamol, enters directly into the focus of inflammation and begins to affect the problem without getting into the bloodstream. And this significantly reduces the manifestation of adverse reactions to the drug. It is also important that these procedures can be performed also for children without particular harm to health, but with great effect in the treatment of the disease.
And now a few words about the side effects of bronchodilators.
Side effects
When using bronchodilators of short or long action, it is impossible not to take into account the manifestations of side effects. When taking short-acting bronchodilators - such as Salbutamol, Terbutaline, Fenoterol - the following undesirable consequences are possible:
- Dizziness.
- Headaches.
- Twitching, tremor of limbs.
- Nervous excitement.
- Tachycardia, palpitations.
- Arrhythmia.
- High blood pressure.
- Hypersensitivity.
- Hypokalemia.
Long-acting drugs, such as Salmeterol, Formoterol, have the following side effects:
- Tremor of hands and feet.
- Dizziness.
- Headaches.
- Muscle twitching.
- Heartbeat
- Change in taste.
- Nausea.
- Sleep disturbance.
- Hypokalemia.
- In patients with severe asthma, paradoxical bronchospasm may develop.
If any side effects occur, you must inform your doctor about this in order to adjust the dosage or change the drug.
Contraindications
There are diseases in which it is contraindicated to use bronchodilators, acting a short period of time. Namely:
- Hyperthyroidism.
- Heart diseases.
- Hypertension
- Diabetes.
- Cirrhosis of the liver.
Special care should also be taken in the presence of these conditions when taking bronchodilators of other groups.
We also note that for pregnant women it is better to choose short-acting bronchodilators. Long-term drug "Theophylline" can be taken from the 2nd trimester no more than 1 time per day. Before giving birth in 2-3 weeks, it is necessary to exclude the use of long-acting bronchodilators.
It is worth paying attention to the fact that not all bronchodilators can be taken by children, nursing mothers and pregnant women.
Before using such drugs, it is imperative to consult a doctor.
special instructions
If bronchodilators are prescribed for you, the use of drugs and the dosage should be strictly observed so as not to harm your health.
Treatment of children using a nebulizer or inhaler with a bronchodilator should be strictly under adult control.
Especially careful should be in the treatment of people with:
- Heart rhythm disturbance.
- High blood pressure.
- Diabetes.
- Glaucoma.
Caution is required to use bronchodilators with other sympathomimetics. It should be borne in mind that hypokalemia may develop with simultaneous administration with theophyllines, corticosteroids, diuretics.
Bronchodilators should be taken only as directed by a doctor. Remember that self-medication is life threatening.