The use of short-acting bronchodilators in patients with chronic bronchoobstructive pathology at the present stage

Inhaled short-acting bronchodilators (beta-agonists and M-anticholinergics) have been used for a long time in patients with bronchoobstructive diseases, the main representatives of which are chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchial asthma (BA). Given the fact that most patients with COPD and BA are treated with long-acting bronchodilators, the question arises about the place of short-acting drugs in modern treatment algorithms for bronchoobstructive pathology. The data on how many patients take short-acting beta-agonists and M- anticholinergics in real-life clinical practice, and how appropriate it is to use these drugs on top of prolonged drugs are provided. The Russian part of the international POPE-study analyzed the characteristics of outpatients with COPD. It was found that the vast majority of patients have short-acting bronchodilators as part of their therapy, and more than 50% of patients receive a combination of SABA and SAAC, and in most cases this is represented by a combination of fenoterol + ipratropium. Taking into account that the majority of patients with COPD and asthma receive prolonged bronchodilators, important from a practical point of view is the question of the effectiveness of short-acting drugs on the background of prolonged ones. The article discusses these aspects of therapy and provides evidence that the use of SABA and SAAC provides an opportunity to achieve additional bronchodilatation when used against the background of prolonged bronchodilators. Thus, symptomatic use of SABA and SAAC on demand in bronchoobstructive pathology have sufficient justification even in the presence of a combination of prolonged bronchodilators in patient therapy. At the same time, it is necessary to take into account the increased probability of side effects with such drug regimen. The article also discusses the issues of different types of inhalation devices for short-acting bronchodilators (nebulizers and metered-dose aerosol inhalers), provides data on their comparative effectiveness and safety. 

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