A variety of drug classes is employed in the treatment of pulmonary disease. The class of drugs affecting the lungs via the autonomic nervous system has been of great benefit in the past and promises greater potential for the future. Current knowledge of autonomic mechanisms clarifies the pathophysiology of pulmonary disease, indicating that such disease may often be the result of an autonomic imbalance. More effective drug therapy has resulted from this knowledge. One line of current research is leading to more specific sypathomimetic agents with minimal side effects outside the pulmonary system. These are the relatively recent beta-2 drugs.
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