A bronchodilator is a drug that relaxes the smooth muscle of your airways. Relaxing these muscles opens your airway to improve lung ventilation, resulting in easier breathing. Other companion actions of some bronchodilators are assistance in clearing mucus and reducing inflammation.
Bronchodilators are used to treat symptoms of dyspnea, wheezing and coughing caused by constriction and inflammation of airway smooth muscles. Bronchodilator drugs are commonly prescribed to open narrowed airways caused by asthma, bronchiectasis and COPD (chronic bronchitis and emphysema).
There are two types, short and long acting. Short acting quickly relieves symptoms, often brought on by stuff like dust, allergens, cold air or stress. Long acting is a maintenance drug treatment program used to control or prevent symptoms, and they have no immediate effect. The most effective bronchodilator is epinephrine, which quickly dilates bronchioles, which is typically administered by injection or aerosol.
Two classes of bronchodilators that are widely used for treatment are beta-2 agonists and anticholinergics. However, they can cause drug side effects, one frequent complaint being dry mouth. Some other possible side effects of bronchodilators are:
- skin rash
- coughing
- trembling
- headache
- palpitations
- restlessness
- throat irritation
- excessive sweating
Your side effects may subside once your body adjusts to the drug. The time for this to take place varies. But if your side effects fail to ease up within in a week or two, you should contact your health provide for dosage adjustment assessment.
