Bronchodilator is a substance that dilates the bronchi and bronchioles, decreasing resistance in the respiratory airway and increasing airflow to the lungs. Bronchospasm can induce or aggravate cough.
Stimulation of pulmonary receptors can trigger both cough and broncho constriction, especially in individuals with effectiveness of cough in clearing secretions by increasing surface velocity of airflow during the act of coughing.
They should be used only when an element of bronchoconstriction is present and not routinely.
Aromatic chest rub
It is widely advertized as a cough remedy. Though it has been shown to reduce experimentally induced cough in healthy volunteers, there is no evidence of benefit in pathological cough.
Bronchodilator drugs
- Beta 2 Sympathomimetics: Salbutamol, Terbutaline, Bambuterol, Salmeterol, Formoterol, Ephedrine.
- Methylxanthines: Theophylline (anhydrous), Aminophylline, Choline theophyllinate, Hydroxyethyl theophylline, Theophylline ethanolate of piperazine, Doxophylline.
- Anticholinergics: Ipratropium bromide, Tiotropium bromide.
Drugs in Detail
Beta 2 Sympathomimetics:-
Like the sympathetic nerves innervating the heart, sympathomimetics stimulate the heart through activation of beta adrenoceptors, and sympathomimetics cause vascular smooth muscle contraction and vasoconstriction through activation of alpha-adrenoceptors.
- Salbutamol is used to relieve symptoms of asthma and COPD such as coughing, wheezing and feeling breathless. It works by relaxing the muscles of the airways into the lungs, which makes it easier to breathe. Salbutamol comes in an inhaler (puffer). Salbutamol inhalers are usually blue.
- Terbutaline is used to prevent and treat wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness caused by asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema. Terbutaline is in a class of medications called beta agonists. It works by relaxing and opening the airways, making it easier to breathe.
- Salmeterol is a long-acting B2 adrenergic receptor agonist (LABA) used in the maintenance and prevention of asthma symptoms and maintenance of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) symptoms. It is also used to prevent breathing difficulties during exercise (exercise- induced bronchoconstriction).
- Formoterol, also known as formoterol, is a long acting Beta 2 agonist used as a bronchodilator in the management of asthma and COPD.
Methylxanthines:-
Thes are unique class of drug that are derived from the purine base xanthine. Xanthine is produced naturally by both plants and animals. The methylxanthines, theophylline, and theophylline are used in the treatment of airways obstruction caused by conditions such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema.
- Theophylline, also known as 1,3-dimethylxanthine, is a phosphodiesterase inhibiting drug used in therapy for respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma under a variety of brand names.
- Aminophylline is used to prevent and treat wheezing, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing caused by asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and other lung diseases. It relaxes and open air passages in the lungs, making it easier to breathe.
- Choline theophyllinate, also known as oxtriphylline, is a cough medicine derived from xanthine that acts as a bronchodilator to open up airways in the lung. Chemically, it is a salt of choline and theophylline. It classifies as an expectorant.
- 7-(ß-Hydroxyethyl) theophylline is a weak PDE (phosphodiesterase) inhibitor resembling theophylline in its pharmacological profile. Used as an intermediate in the preparation of 7-substituted xanthines.
- Theophylline Ethanoate Of Piperazine is used for Asthmatic children and other conditions.
- Doxofylline (also known as doxophylline) is a xanthine derivative drug used in the treatment of asthma.
Anticholinergics:-
These are bronchodilator mainly used to treat COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease such as emphysema) and asthma. Atrovent (an anticholinergic bronchodilator) is used to treat COPD. It is available as an inhaler and also in a nebulizer solution. A dry throat is the most common side effect.
- Ipratropium bromide, sold under the trade name ATROVENT among others, is a medication which opens up the medium and large airways in the lungs. It is used to treat the symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. It is used by inhaler or nebulizer.
- Tiotropium bromide, sold under the brand name Spiriva among others, is a long-acting bronchodilator used in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. Specifically it is used to try to prevent periods of worsening rather than for those periods themselves.
