18.3 : 下呼吸道疾病用药：概述

Common lower respiratory disorders, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, are managed with bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Bronchodilators, such as methylxanthines, β2-adrenoceptor agonists, muscarinic receptor antagonists, and cysteinyl leukotriene receptor antagonists, relax airway muscles for easier breathing.

Methylxanthines stimulate the central nervous system to induce bronchodilation, while β2-adrenoceptor agonists activate β2-adrenergic receptors and muscarinic receptor antagonists block acetylcholine binding to muscarinic receptors in the bronchial muscles.

Anti-inflammatory drugs such as glucocorticoids, mast cell stabilizers, and immunomodulators reduce or prevent inflammation.

Glucocorticoids directly suppress inflammatory genes or activate anti-inflammatory genes, while mast cell stabilizers inhibit calcium ion entry into mast cells, preventing the release of inflammatory mediators.

Conversely, immunomodulators target specific immune responses to allergic inflammation.