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Beta-agonists linked with risk of death in COPD patients

Respiratory Care Weekly, July 12, 2006

Anticholinergic bronchodilators-generically named tiotropium and ipratropium-help reduce severe respiratory events in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, according to the Journal of General Internal Medicine. Beta-agonists-generically named metaproterenol, formoterol, salmeterol, and albuterol-have the same effect, but they come with a cost. They increase the risk of death twofold, compared to placebo, while the anticholinergics actually reduce risk of death compared to placebo.

"These results suggest that anticholinergics should be the bronchodilator of choice in COPD," said lead author Shelley Salpeter, MD, clinical professor of medicine at Stanford's School of Medicine and a physician at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose, CA. "The long-term safety of beta-agonists in patients with COPD should be addressed."

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