Abstract:

Bronchodilators (anticholinergic drugs and β2-agonist drugs) represent the mainstay of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treatment and can be combined with inhaled corticosteroids for greater efficacy. This review examines the role of short- and long-acting cholinergic drugs, together with that of short- and long-acting β2-agonist drugs. A brief analysis of the long-term use of corticosteroids in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is made, with a review of the safety and possible side effects. Combination therapy is more frequently used due to its practicality and capacity to enhance compliance. The main studies on treatment combinations are also analyzed in this paper.

Keywords: bronchodilators; COPD; corticosteroids; inhaled therapy

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1517/14656566.8.6.777

Affiliations: 1: 1Assistant Lecturer and Physician, Clinic of Pulmonary Disease, 30 Dr I Cihac Str700115, Iasi, Romania., Email: sabinaantoniu@excite.com 2: 2Professor and Physician, Clinic of Pulmonary Disease, 30 Dr I Cihac Str700115, Iasi, Romania., Email: tmihaescu@mail.dntis.ro 3: 3Medical Director and Physician, Mondo Medico, Multidisciplinary and Rehabilitation Out-Patient Clinic, Via Monsignor Cavigioli 10, 28021 Borgomanero(NO), Italy., Email: cfdonner@mondomedico.it