The Use of Anticholinergics in Asthma

Abstract

Anticholinergic medications have been accepted as an important treatment modality in chronic bronchitis and chronic asthma, but their use in acute asthma is more controversial. A brief historical context of anticholinergics is given. The innervations of the lung that govern bronchoconstriction and bronchodilatation are reviewed. The pharmacological and neurological properties of anticholinergics make them excellent modalities for treatment of asthma. The benefits of anticholinergics in acute asthma, exercise-induced asthma, nocturnal asthma, and psychogenic asthma are reviewed. The use of anticholinergics in anaphylaxis with beta-blockade is examined.

Key Words:

• Ipratropium
• Acute asthma
• Chronic asthma
• Anticholinergics
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• History of anticholinergics
• Cholinergic bronchomotor tone
• Quaternary anticholinergics
• Glycopyrrolate
• Oxitropium