Bronchodilator Medications
Bronchodilators are often administered as hand-held inhalers. They can be effective in alleviating some common signs of emphysema by opening up the muscles around and in your airways. This allows these parts to open fully and makes it easier to breathe. There are 2 main forms of bronchodilators: long-acting and short-acting drugs. Both of them could lead to some possible side effects, such as diarrhea, nausea, coughing, muscle cramps, heart palpitations, dry mouth, headaches, and trembling. The most commonly used bronchodilators include theophylline (capsule or tablet), anticholinergics or antimuscarinics (inhaler), as well as beta-2 agonists (inhaler). [6]
