Examples

These medicines may be given by inhaler, nebulizer, injection, or mouth (orally).

How It Works

Bronchodilators (beta-adrenergic medicines) relax the muscular layer that surrounds the small breathing tubes (bronchioli), allowing them to expand and move air more easily.

Why It Is Used

Bronchodilators are widely used to treat wheezing, a common symptom of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

• Often a child who wheezes is given a single treatment by nebulizer to see whether the medicine reduces wheezing. Some children will improve with these medicines.
• If wheezing is less after one dose of a bronchodilator, the medicine is usually added to the child's treatment plan.

Bronchodilators are commonly used for asthma and similar problems. They act rapidly when given by nebulizer, metered-dose inhaler, or injection to improve breathing and reduce wheezing.

How Well It Works

Bronchodilators relax the small tubes in the lungs, making breathing easier.

Side Effects

Side effects of bronchodilators include:

• Anxiety, agitation, or hyperactivity.
• Muscle tremors.
• Rapid heartbeat.
• Nausea or vomiting.

Side effects are more likely to occur with oral or injected medicine. These side effects are less common when the medicine is inhaled.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

What To Think About

The use of bronchodilators in children is controversial. Research so far has not shown consistent long-term benefit for most children. Since it is possible for some children to improve from bronchodilators, they are sometimes recommended for severely ill children who are older than 6 months of age.¹

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Citations

1. Hall CB (2004). Respiratory syncytial virus and human metapneumovirus. In RD Feigin et al., eds., Textbook of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, 5th ed., vol. 2, chap. 185A, pp. 2315–2341. Philadelphia: Saunders.