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Anticholinergics for asthma: a long history
1Departamento de Emergencia, Hospital Central de las Fuerzas Armadas, Montevideo, Uruguay.
Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology
|October 18, 2017
Summary
Short-acting muscarinic antagonists and tiotropium bromide are effective for asthma treatment. Tiotropium bromide, as an add-on therapy, significantly improves lung function and reduces exacerbations in symptomatic asthma patients.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Drug Development
Background:
- Anticholinergic drugs have evolved significantly in Western medicine.
- Their therapeutic applications have expanded, particularly in respiratory conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the historical development of anticholinergic drugs.
- To highlight their current applications, with a focus on asthma management.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of anticholinergic drug introduction and development.
- Analysis of current clinical evidence for asthma treatment.
Main Results:
- Short-acting muscarinic antagonists (SAMAs) improve outcomes in acute asthma.
- Long-acting muscarinic antagonist tiotropium bromide enhances asthma control and reduces exacerbations when added to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS).
Conclusions:
- SAMAs and tiotropium bromide are established treatments for various asthma severities.
- Further research is needed for other selective long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMAs).