When to avoid bronchodilators
Anticholinergics
Anticholinergics are not recommended in people with:
- prostate problems, such as prostate cancer or benign prostatic hyperplasia (a non-cancerous swelling of the prostate), because anticholinergics can cause problems with urinating
- chronic glaucoma (a build-up of pressure in the eye that can lead to blindness)
Theophylline
Theophylline is usually not recommended for people with a history of liver disease. This is because their liver may not be able to remove the medicine from their body.
Using bronchodilators with caution
Generally, bronchodilators should be used with caution in the elderly and in people with epilepsy or a peptic ulcer. These people will have to be monitored regularly by their GP.
Further considerations are outlined below.
Beta-2 agonists
Beta-2 agonists should be used with caution in people with:
- overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), as the medication may stimulate the thyroid gland and make the thyroid problem worse
- heart disease, as the medication may affect blood pressure and cause an irregular heartbeat
- diabetes, as there is a risk of ketoacidosis (a build-up of acids in your blood) your blood glucose levels may need to be regularly monitored
These people will have to be monitored regularly by their GP.
Theophylline
Theophylline should be used with caution in people with:
- overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), as the medication may stimulate the thyroid gland and make the thyroid problem worse
- heart disease, as the medication may affect blood pressure and cause an irregular heartbeat
These people will have to be monitored regularly by their GP.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Talk to your doctor as soon as possible if you regularly take bronchodilator drugs and are pregnant or breastfeeding. Ideally, you should talk to your doctor before you start trying for a baby or as soon as you find out you are pregnant.
Medication to treat asthma is usually considered safe to use during pregnancy and when you are breastfeeding. Asthma itself can affect your pregnancy, so it needs to be well controlled.
If possible, bronchodilator drugs should be inhaled to minimise your unborn baby’s exposure to the medication.
