title: A brief history of inhaled asthma therapy over the last fifty years.
abstract: This year is the 50th anniversary of the introduction into clinical use of the first modern inhaler for the management of asthma--the pressurised metered-dose inhaler (pMDI). The pMDI was initially used for the administration of the non-selective beta-agonists adrenaline and isoprenaline. However, the epidemic of asthma deaths which occurred in the 1960s led to these drugs being superseded by the selective short-acting beta-agonist salbutamol, and the first inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) beclomethasone. At the same time, sodium cromoglycate was introduced, to be administered via the first dry-powder inhaler--the Spinhaler--but owing to its relatively weak anti-inflammatory action its use is now very limited. Over the last 10 years, the long-acting beta-agonists (LABAs) have become an important add-on therapy for the management of asthma, and they are now often used with ICS in a single ICS/LABA combination inhaler.
authors.affiliation: gkcromp@hotmail.co.uk
authors.forename: Graham
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Crompton
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000266:history; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000266:history*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000266:history*; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000266:history; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000266:history; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers / Q000266:history
chemical_list: D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium