The main drug in this group is ipratropium (Atrovent) which is taken by inhalation. Side-effects are rare except at high doses. They include dry mouth, difficulty in passing urine and constipation. Other anti-cholinergics include butethamate and atropine. Anti-cholinergics help to reduce the amount of mucus present in the airways as well as relaxing the muscles,
and may be useful where asthma and bronchitis occur together.
Sympathomimetics, such as adrenaline and ephedrine, are sometimes combined with anticholinergics in inhalers. Atropine is combined with adrenaline and a muscle relaxant in Brovon and Rybarvin. Butethamate is combined with ephedrine in CAM, which is taken by mouth. Ipratropium is combined with the bronchodilator fenoterol in Duovent.
Other bronchodilators
Sympathomimetics were once the main drugs used for bronchodilation, but they are much less specific for the bronchial muscles than the drugs described above. They produce side-effects more easily than modern bronchodilators and are much less used now. They include adrenaline, ephedrine and phenylephrine. Typical side-effects include nervousness, anxiety, tremor, irregular heartbeat and dry mouth.
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