bronchodilator

bronchodilator

 [brong″ko-di-la´tor]

1. expanding the lumina of the bronchi.

2. an agent that does this. Epinephrine is one of the most powerful bronchodilators and can be administered by injection or by aerosol. Isoproterenol (Isuprel) affects the bronchi by relieving bronchospasm through its action on smooth muscle. It is one of the most widely used aerosol bronchodilators. Other drugs used to enlarge the lumen of the bronchi and thereby facilitate breathing and removal of secretions include isoetharine, atropine, and aminophylline.

bron·cho·di·la·tor

(brong'kō-dī-lā'ter, -tōr),

1. Causing an increase in caliber of a bronchus or bronchial tube.

2. An agent that possesses this power (for example, epinephrine, albuterol).

bronchodilator

/bron·cho·di·la·tor/ (-di´la-ter)

1. expanding the lumina of the air passages of the lungs.

2. an agent which causes dilatation of the bronchi.

bronchodilator

(brŏng′kō-dī-lā′tər, -dĭ-, -dī′lā-)

n.

A drug that widens the air passages of the lungs and eases breathing by relaxing bronchial smooth muscle.

bronchodilator

[-dilā′tər]

a substance, especially a drug, that relaxes contractions of the smooth muscle of the bronchioles to improve ventilation to the lungs. Pharmacological bronchodilators are prescribed to improve aeration in asthma, bronchiectasis, bronchitis, and emphysema. Commonly used bronchodilators include albuterol, terbutaline, and various derivatives and combinations of these drugs. The adverse effects vary, depending on the particular class of the bronchodilating drug. In general, bronchodilators are given with caution to people with impaired cardiac function. Nervousness, irritability, gastritis, or palpitations of the heart may occur.

bronchodilator

Any agent that dilates the lumina of the upper airways to increase airflow, which is administered to wheezing patients.
 
Types
• Short-acting beta2 agonists—Inhaled agents with an early onset of action (e.g., salbutamol, which last up to 6 hours).
• Long-acting beta2 agonists—Oral agents that last up to 12 hours (e.g., salmeterol, formoterol).
• Anticholinergic—Prolonged action, lasting up to 24 hours (e.g., tiotropium); used for COPD.
• Theophylline—Long-acting; used to prevent asthma attacks.

bronchodilator

Chest medicine Any agent that dilates airway lumina, to ↑ airflow, given to wheezing Pts Examples Theophylline, aminophylline, epinephrine, Alupent, metaproterenol, isoproterenol, Ventolin, Proventil, salmeterol, pirbuterol, albuterol. See Adrenergic bronchodilator, Asthma, Wheezing.

bron·cho·di·la·tor

(brong'kō-dī'lā-tŏr)

1. Causing an increase in caliber of a bronchus.

2. An agent that possesses this power (e.g., epinephrine).

Bronchodilator

A medicine used to open up the bronchial tubes (air passages) of the lungs.

Mentioned in: Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis

bron·cho·di·la·tor

(brong'kō-dī'lā-tŏr)

Agent that increases caliber of a bronchus or bronchial tube.

bronchodilator

1. expanding the lumina of the air passages of the lungs.

2. an agent that causes dilatation of the bronchi. Epinephrine is one of the most powerful bronchodilators and can be administered by injection or by aerosol. Some drugs used to enlarge the lumen of the bronchi and thereby facilitate breathing and removal of secretions are albuterol, ipratropium and aminophylline.

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bronchodilator-antitussive combination

see antitussive-bronchodilator combination.