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Australian Prescriber Vol. 26 No. 2 2003

Inhalers

Some patients with chronic bronchitis get relief by inhaling medicines called bronchodilators. These medicines open up the air passages in the lungs to make breathing easier.

There are two types of bronchodilator medicines. They are usually given as a spray which the patient breathes into their lungs. Neither type of medicine works better than the other, but they have different side effects. The choice of medicine depends on which suits the patient best.

Although these medicines give relief they do not make the bronchitis better. Only stopping smoking makes the lungs work better.