[Efficacy and long-term tolerance of beta-2 adrenergic stimulants]
1Dép. de médecine interne, Centre hospitalier universitaire vaudois, Lausanne.
Abstract:
Long term administration of high doses of beta-2 adrenergic bronchodilators may induce changes in sensitivity of beta-2 receptors leading to a decrease in cellular response in vitro, a decrease of the protective effect in the animal, a decrease in maximal bronchodilation and its duration in normal subjects and a slight increase in bronchial responsiveness in asthmatic subjects. None of these effects seems to have any effect on efficacy of bronchodilator treatment in clinical practice. On the other hand, real or apparent increase in the use of bronchodilators imposes the introduction of a complementary anti-asthmatic treatment, preferably with inhaled steroids.
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