Bronchodilator drugs

Bronchodilators are medicines used to open up the small airways of the lungs (bronchi) to make breathing easier.

They are often used to treat conditions that can cause narrowing or inflammation (swelling) of the airways, such as:

• asthma
• bronchiectasis – a lung condition where the airways are abnormally widened
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) – permanent damage to the lungs, usually caused by smoking

How they work

Bronchodilator drugs relax the muscles in the lungs, which allows the airways to widen and makes breathing easier. Some bronchodilators also help to clear mucus and reduce inflammation in the lungs. For more information, see bronchodilator drugs – how they work.

Types of bronchodilator

Bronchodilators are often inhaled, but are also available as tablets, syrup and an injection. There are two types:

• short-acting bronchodilators – these provide short-term relief from breathlessness
• long-acting bronchodilators – these have no immediate effect, but can help control the symptoms of conditions such as asthma if used regularly, and have more long-lasting effects

The three most widely used bronchodilators are:

• beta-2 agonists
• anticholinergics
• theophylline