Asthma Medications - Bronchodilator Drugs
Beta-Agonists
Since asthma is characterized by narrowing of bronchial tubes caused by tightening of bronchial wall muscle, treatment has traditionally focused on reversing this process, which is called bronchodilatation. The medications that produce this effect are bronchodilators. At this time the most effective bronchodilators are the Bzadrenergic agonists. These drugs are all derivatives of epinephrine which has effects on both the heart (termed beta-I) and lung (beta-2). Epinephrine is an important hormone produced in the body by the adrenal gland but has been synthesized in the laboratory. The B2-adrenergic agonists have been developed to be “selective” stimulants of lung structures, avoiding unwanted effects on the heart and blood vessels such as high blood pressure and palpitations. Their effects are produced through nerve endings called receptors located within the lungs. One such B2-receptor is located in the muscle layer that surrounds the bronchial tube. With the administration of these agents and stimulation of the receptor the bronchial wall muscle relaxes, producing bronchodilatation.
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