Long-acting relievers
Written by Clive Chung on 3:36 AMThese drugs include: Serevent (salmeterol) and Oxivent (oxitropium) Serevent is a longer acting beta-agonist bronchodilator. It keeps the airways open, but it acts more slowly and lasts longer - up to 12 hours. A possible side-effect of Serevent is trembling hands, and taken in high doses it can raise the pulse rate and cause heart palpitations. Although unpleasant, these reactions are not thought to be dangerous, but it obviously makes sense to take the minimum amount to keep the condition under control.
Oxivent is an anticholinergic bronchodilator. It blocks the effect of the cholinergic nerves that can, amongst other things, constrict the airways. This medicine has a limited function in that it only works on the cholinergic nerves and with asthma patients the constriction is caused by several things. The side-effects of Oxivent may include dry mouths and very occasionally blurred vision.
Slo-Phyllin and Uniphyllin (theophylline i the generic name for both of these medicines) are protectors in tablet or syrup form. Theophylline is a cafferine-like substance and it is a long-acting bronchodilator. Its main advantage is that since it keeps the airways open for several hours it is a useful treatment for asthma patients to take at night. the flip side is in its side-effects. It can cause nausea, vomiting, indigestion, headaches and a feeling of anxiousness. These reactions are usually experienced when the levels of the drug in the blood are too high. Therefore anyone taking this medicine may need regular blood tests to monitor a good level.
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