title: [Sympathomimetic drugs in the treatment of childhood asthma].
abstract: Sympathomimetic bronchodilators relax bronchial smooth muscle via stimulation of the enzyme adenylcyclase. Furthermore, they stabilize the membrane of the bronchial mast cell. Therefore, they are used in the treatment of acute asthma as well as in long-term prophylaxis. A new generation of beta 2-receptor binding derivates of isoproterenol offers increased therapeutic safety because of a reduced risk of cardiovascular side effects. Three routes of medication are available. Parenteral therapy is reserved for the treatment of acute severe asthma. The oral route can be used for long-term medication in smaller children. Mist therapy offers the advantage of topic medication. Efficient handling of a metered-dose aerosol is beyond the capabilities of small children; these patients get their topic treatment by nebulized solutions. The relevant data of clinical pharmacology are summarized for all forms of medication. Focusing on the role of sympathomimetic drugs, a medication strategy for the treatment of acute asthma as well as for long-term prophylaxis is described.
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000336:Aerosols; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D007545:Isoproterenol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013566:Sympathomimetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013726:Terbutaline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D013566:Sympathomimetics; D007545:Isoproterenol; D013726:Terbutaline; D004837:Epinephrine
vernacular_title: Pädiatrische Asthmatherapie: Sympathomimetika.