Bronchodilator

A bronchodilator is a medicine that lowers the tone of the bronchial muscles and thus causes a widening of the bronchi. Bronchodilators are typically used in the treatment of bronchial asthma.

Drug groups

Pharmacologically three drug groups of bronchodilators can be distinguished:

β - adrenoceptor agonists

Stimulation of the β2 - adrenergic receptor by β2 -agonists leads to the relaxation of the bronchial muscles and trigger a bronchospasm. Representatives of this group of substances are, for example, salbutamol, salmeterol, terbutaline, clenbuterol or formoterol.

Theophylline

Theophylline is a xanthine derivative, whose mechanism of action is not yet fully understood. First, it inhibits the enzyme phosphodiesterase in high doses, so that the concentration of the second messenger cAMP is increased in the bronchial muscle cell. Secondly, theophylline blocked adenosine receptors, which cause a narrowing of the bronchi and release of histamine otherwise.

Muscarinic receptor antagonists

Parasympatholytics such as ipratropium bromide, prevent the binding of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine at the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor.