title: Long-acting beta2-agonists (LABA) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: efficacy and safety.
abstract: COPD is characterized by progressive airflow obstruction which does not fully reverse to inhaled or oral pharmacotherapy. The management of patients with COPD has taken a totally new direction over the past 20 years, thank to the use of novel therapies aimed to improve and modify the natural history of COPD. Long-acting bronchodilators, including long-acting beta2-agonists (LABAs), were introduced several years ago in order to enhance improvements in lung function, health status related quality of life, and reduce the rate of exacerbations. These effects can be boosted by the combination of LABAs with long-acting anticholinergic, and/or with inhaled corticosteroids. Inhaled LABAs are commonly well tolerated although adverse effects such as tremor and palpitations are occasionally troublesome.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Respiratory Diseases, Hospital of Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy. arossi@ospedaliriuniti.bergamo.it
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Khirani
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cazzola
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D058666:Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000403:Airway Resistance / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000187:drug effects; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011659:Pulmonary Gas Exchange / Q000187:drug effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D058666:Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists; D010100:Oxygen