Allergy & Asthma Center of SW Washington

Anticholinergics

Anticholinergics provide some bronchodilitation (airway opening) in certain individuals. Although not generally the first choice of rescue medicines for acute symptoms, some asthmatics cannot tolerate short acting beta2-agonists and thus an anticholinergic is prescribed. An anticholinergic works by dilating the larger airways and is also useful in people who have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) with or without an asthmatic component. Anticholinergics provide fairly fast relief of asthma symptoms, generally within one to two hours. They are sometimes used in conjunction with the shorter acting beta adrenergics like albuterol.

Side Effects

Possible side effects of anticholinergics are dry mouth, coughing, and an unpleasant taste, but using a spacer/holding chamber and rinsing and gargling with water or mouthwash can help prevent this. Rare side effects include dermatitis, swelling of the face, lips, or eyelids, skin rash, and hives.

Caution: People who are allergic to peanuts or soy products should not use anticholinergics by metered dose inhaler; they should use a nebulizer instead. The inhaled version of this medication contains soya lecithin and may cause an allergic reaction. The nebulized form does not contain the soya lecithin and is safe.

Anticholinergics Brands

Ipratropium Bromide (Atrovent®) is available in inhaler and nebulizer forms. Combivent is an inhaler form containing both Ipratropium and Albuterol.