Effects of long-acting and short-acting beta-agonists on methacholine dose-response curves in asthmatics

Regular use of short-acting beta-agonists may decrease control of asthma and increase airway responsiveness to bronchoconstrictor stimuli. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of regular treatment with the long-acting beta-agonist, salmeterol, on the methacholine dose-response curve (DRC) in mild-to-moderate asthmatics. Changes in methacholine airway responsiveness were measured in 14 stable adult asthmatics, randomized in a …