FREE NEJM E-TOC    HOME   |   SUBSCRIBE   |   CURRENT ISSUE   |   PAST ISSUES   |   COLLECTIONS   |   Search Term  Advanced Search

Sign in | Get NEJM's E-Mail Table of Contents — Free | Subscribe

Previous Volume 335:886-888 September 19, 1996 Number 12 Next

	Since this article has no abstract, we have provided an extract of the first 100 words of the full text and any section headings.

	Full Text Purchase this article Add to Personal Archive Add to Citation Manager Notify a Friend E-mail When Cited PubMed Citation

The introduction of selective, potent inhaled ₂-agonists more than 30 years ago revolutionized the treatment of asthma. Until that time, nonselective sympathomimetic agents, such as ephedrine and epinephrine, which stimulate both - and -adrenergic receptors and have a very short duration of action, were used to relieve bronchoconstriction. The selective inhaled ₂-agonists, such as terbutaline and albuterol, have a longer duration of action (four to six hours), are potent bronchodilators, relieve symptoms rapidly, and protect against the acute bronchoconstriction caused by stimuli such as exercise¹ or the inhalation of cold, dry air.² For these reasons, in most countries inhaled ₂-agonists . . . [Full Text of this Article]

References

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Montuschi, P., Pagliari, G., Fuso, L. (2009). Pharmacotherapy of asthma: regular treatment or on demand?. Ther Adv Respir Dis 3: 175-191 [Abstract]  
• Douma, W. R., Kerstjens, H. A. M., de Gooijer, A., Overbeek, S. E., Koeter, G. H., Postma, D. S. (2002). Initial Improvements in Lung Function and Bronchial Hyperresponsiveness Are Maintained During 5 Years of Treatment With Inhaled Beclomethasone Dipropionate and Terbutaline. Chest 121: 151-157 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• BOUSQUET, J., JEFFERY, P. K., BUSSE, W. W., JOHNSON, M., VIGNOLA, A. M. (2000). Asthma . From Bronchoconstriction to Airways Inflammation and Remodeling. Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 161: 1720-1745 [Full Text]  
• Rosenthal, R. R., Busse, W. W., Kemp, J. P., Baker, J. W., Kalberg, C., Emmett, A., Rickard, K. A. (1999). Effect of Long-term Salmeterol Therapy Compared With As-Needed Albuterol Use on Airway Hyperresponsiveness. Chest 116: 595-602 [Abstract] [Full Text]