β2-AGONISTS IN CHILDHOOD ASTHMA
Miraglia Del Giudice, M.; Campana, G.; Galdo, F.; De Vivo, D.; Cuppari, C.; Coronella, A.; Maiello, N.
Journal of Biological Regulators and Homeostatic Agents 29(2 Suppl 1: 137-141
2015
ISSN/ISBN: 0393-974X PMID: 26634602 Document Number: 682885
β2-agonists reduce airflow limitation by improving airway diameter as a consequence of a direct action on airway smooth muscle. β;2-agonists can be broadly classified according to their duration of action: short-acting β2-agonists (SABAs), including albuterol, terbutaline and fenoterol, have pharmacodynamics halflives between 2 and 6 h and long-acting β2-agonists (LABAs), including salmeterol and formoterol, require twice daily treatment. SABAs are often used as needed for asthma exacerbations and before exercise in the presence of exercise-induced bronchospasm. LABAs provide longer symptom control, which is a particularly useful feature for preventing night-time symptoms. There are two main LABAs, salmeterol and formoterol. This review focused on the recent data published on this topic.