Bronchodilators are medicines that open up the small airways of the lungs (bronchi) to make breathing easier.
They are often used to treat conditions that can cause the airways to become narrow or inflammed (swollen), such as:
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
