Respiratory Drugs
Respiratory diseases like asthma and COPD affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide, making the development of effective respiratory drugs a top priority for clinical research. These medications are primarily designed to open narrowed airways and reduce the underlying inflammation that causes symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, and chronic cough.
The delivery method is just as important as the drug itself. Inhalers and nebulizers deliver the medication directly to the lungs, allowing for a high concentration at the site of the problem while minimizing systemic side effects. This targeted approach is the gold standard for managing both acute symptoms and long-term disease progression.
Bronchodilators work by relaxing the smooth muscles around the airways. Short-acting versions (SABAs) provide quick relief during an attack, while long-acting versions (LABAs) are taken daily to keep the airways open over time. For many patients, these are combined with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), which treat the…