Asthma. Bronchodilators: new developments.
This chapter is concerned with recent controversies and new developments in the area of established bronchodilators, namely beta-agonists, antimuscarinic drugs and methylxanthines. It focuses on the studies concerned with fenoterol and its possible role in asthma deaths in New Zealand, the new long-acting beta-agonists and the place of beta-agonists in the treatment of asthma. The possible reasons for the fact that antimuscarinic drugs have been less effective in general than beta-agonists in asthma are explored and the difficulties of using theophylline in clinical practice and its role in the treatment of asthma are discussed.
Respiratory Medicine Unit, University of Nottingham, UK.
A E
AE
Tattersfield
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005280:Fenoterol / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D010276:Parasympatholytics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013806:Theophylline / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D010276:Parasympatholytics; D005280:Fenoterol; D013806:Theophylline