The respiratory system is of great importance for human life. 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 will consider how these drugs work, their classification and use in various diseases of the respiratory organs.
What are bronchodilators
Broncholytics are medicines and drugs that relieve bronchospasm and also fight the causes of bronchial constriction.
What diseases can cause such conditions, we will consider further.
For what diseases are bronchodilators used
There are a number of diseases that can cause the following symptoms:
- Bronchoconstriction.
- Edema.
- Mucus hypersecretion.
- Bronchoconstriction.
The development of such symptoms is possible with the following diseases:
- COPD
- Asthma.
- Obstructive acute bronchitis.
- Bronchiolitis obliterans.
- Bronchiectasis.
- Cystic fibrosis.
- Ciliary dyskinesia syndrome.
- Bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
Different types of bronchodilators can be used to prevent bronchospasm.
Types of bronchodilators
The pharmaceutical industry produces several types of drugs from this group:
- Pills.
- Syrups.
- Medicines for injections.
- Inhalers.
- Nebulizers.
Also can be divided into several classes of bronchodilators.
Classification and list of drugs
Adrenergic agonists. 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 of this group do not enter the bloodstream and do not have a systemic effect. They are allowed to be used only for inhalation. The following medicines can be added to the list:
- "Atropine sulfate".
- Metacin.
- "Ipratropium bromide".
- Berodual.
3. Phosphodiesterase inhibitors. Stop attacks of brocho-obstruction, relaxingsmooth muscles of the bronchi, by depositing calcium in the endoplasmic reticulum by reducing its amount inside the cell. Improves peripheral ventilation, diaphragm function. This group includes:
- Theophylline.
- "Theobromine".
- Eufillin.
The use of these drugs can cause dizziness, tachycardia, a sharp decrease in blood pressure.
4. Mast cell membrane stabilizers. 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 mast cells, thereby disrupting their degranulation and the release of histamine. At the time of the attack, these drugs are no longer effective. These bronchodilators are used in the form of tablets or inhalations. The drug list is as follows:
- Cromoline.
- Undocromil.
- Ketotifen.
5. Corticosteroids. These drugs are used in the treatment of complex forms of bronchial asthma. It can also be used to prevent and relieve attacks of bronchospasm. The following medications should be added to the list:
- "Hydrocortisone".
- "Prednisolone".
- "Dexamethasone".
- "Triamycinolone".
- Beclomethasone.
6. Calcium channel blockers. Used to relieve attacks of bronchial obstruction. By blocking calcium channels, calcium does not enter the cell, resulting in relaxation of the bronchi. Spasm decreases, coronary arteries expandand peripheral vessels. The drugs in this group include:
- Nifedipine.
- Isradipin.
7. Drugs with antileukotriene action. Blocking leukotriene receptors promotes bronchial relaxation. This type of medication is used to prevent attacks of bronchial obstruction.
They are very effective in the treatment of diseases that occur as a result of long-term use of non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs. The following medicines fall into this category:
- Zafirlukast.
- Montelukast.
Concluding, it should be said that bronchodilators direct their action primarily to relax the bronchi, but in different ways. Given these features of bronchodilators, the patient's concomitant diseases and the characteristics of the organism, an effective treatment can be prescribed.
Spirography with bronchodilator
Spirography is prescribed for the examination of patients who often have respiratory diseases. Most often in cases where there are the following symptoms:
- Cough that hasn't stopped for a long time.
- Shortness of breath.
- There are wheezing, whistling in the breath.
- If you have difficulty breathing.
This examination method allows you to identify changes in lung volume and their functionality. This procedure is absolutely safe, but at the same time it gives a lot of information for the appointment of effective treatment.
For spirography, you can usebronchodilators. The drug list may include the following drugs:
- Berotek.
- Ventalin.
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 drugs that relax the bronchi are used, it is determined whether bronchospasm is reversible or irreversible. The medicine is taken with a nebulizer or aerosol.
Relieve asthma attacks
Let's focus on the drugs that are used for asthma. Bronchodilators for asthma are the most important drugs that an asthmatic needs, both for relieving sudden attacks and for preventing them. These include the following types of bronchodilators:
- Beta agonists.
- Anticholinergics.
- "Theophylline".
Medicines of the first two groups are best taken with an inhaler or nebulizer.
When an asthma attack occurs, it is necessary to provide urgent assistance, for this, short-acting inhaled bronchodilators are used. 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 last for 2-4 hours. Using an inhaler or nebulizer, you can relieve an attack of bronchospasm at home. This way of getting the drug into the respiratory system reduces the number of possible side effects, unlike taking pills or injections, which are sure to enter the bloodstream.
When using short-acting bronchodilators for attacks, 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. Maybe we need to tighten control over the course of the disease, maybe we need to reconsider the methods of treatment.
Control attacks with bronchodilators
In order to keep seizures under control, it is necessary to use long-acting bronchodilators. They can also be taken by inhalation. The effect will last up to 12 hours. These drugs include the following:
- "Formoterol". Begins to act in 5-10 minutes. It can be used both to relieve seizures and to treat them. May be used by children, but only under adult supervision.
- "Salmetorol". It also relieves seizures within minutes. The effect lasts up to 12 hours. This drug should only be used by adults.
Bronchitis treatment
Of course, bronchodilators are often needed for bronchitis. Especially if the disease has passed into the chronic stage or bronchial obstruction is observed. Many bronchodilators can be used to treat bronchitis. The drug list might look like this:
- Izadrin.
- Ipradol.
- "Salbutamol".
- Berodual.
- Eufillin.
A very good effect in the treatment of bronchitis is achieved if you use bronchodilators for inhalation using a nebulizer or inhaler. In this casea bronchodilator, such as Salbutamol, enters directly into the focus of inflammation and begins to influence the problem without getting into the blood. And this significantly reduces the manifestation of adverse reactions to the drug. It is also important that these procedures can be performed on children without much harm to he alth, but with a great effect in the treatment of the disease.
And now a few words about side effects of bronchodilators.
Side effects
When using short-acting or long-acting bronchodilators, side effects cannot be ignored. When taking short-acting bronchodilators - these are such as "Salbutamol", "Terbutaline", "Fenoterol" - such undesirable consequences are possible:
- Dizziness.
- Headaches.
- Twitching, tremor of limbs.
- Nervous excitement.
- Tachycardia, palpitations.
- Arrhythmia.
- Increased blood pressure.
- Hypersensitivity.
- Hypokalemia.
Delayed-release 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.
- Patients with severe asthma may develop paradoxical bronchospasm.
If you experience any side effects, you should tell your doctor about it so thatadjust dosage or change medication.
Contraindications
There are diseases in which it is contraindicated to use bronchodilators that act for a short period of time. Namely:
- Hyperthyroidism.
- Heart disease.
- Hypertension.
- Diabetes.
- Cirrhosis of the liver.
Also, special care should 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-acting drug "Theophylline" can be taken from the 2nd trimester no more than 1 time per day. Long-acting bronchodilators should be avoided 2-3 weeks before delivery.
It is worth noting that not all bronchodilators can be taken by children, nursing mothers and pregnant women.
Be sure to consult your doctor before using these drugs.
Special Instructions
If you are prescribed bronchodilators, the use of drugs and dosage should be strictly observed so as not to harm your he alth.
Treat children using a nebulizer or inhaler with a bronchodilator strictly under the supervision of adults.
Especial care should be taken when treating people with:
- Irregular heart rhythm.
- High blood pressure.
- Diabetes mellitus.
- Glaucoma.
Caution must be used with other bronchodilatorssympathomimetics. It should be borne in mind that hypokalemia may develop when administered simultaneously with theophyllines, corticosteroids, diuretics.
Broncholytics should only be taken with a doctor's prescription. Remember that self-medication is life-threatening.
