Orciprenaline sulphate is a bronchodilating agent. The bronchospasm associated with various pulmonary diseases – chronic bronchitis, pulmonary emphysema, bronchial asthma, silicosis, tuberculosis, sarcoidosis and carcinoma of the lung, has been successfully reversed by therapy with orciprenaline sulphate.
Orciprenaline sulphate has the following major characteristics:
- Pharmacologically, the action of orciprenaline sulphate is one of beta stimulation. Receptor sites in the bronchi and bronchioles are more sensitive to the drug than those in the heart and blood vessels, so that the ratio of bronchodilating to cardiovascular effects is favourable. Consequently, it is usually possible clinically to produce good bronchodilation at dosage levels which are unlikely to cause cardiovascular side effects.
- The efficacy of the bronchodilator after both oral and inhalation administration has been demonstrated by pulmonary function studies (spirometry, and by measurement of airways resistance by body plethysmography).
- Rapid onset of action follows administration of orciprenaline sulphate inhalants, and the effect is usually noted immediately. Following oral administration, the effect is usually noted within 30 minutes.
- The peak effect of bronchodilator activity following orciprenaline sulphate generally occurs within 60 to 90 minutes, and this activity lasts for 3 to 6 hours.
- Orciprenaline sulphate taken orally potentiates the action of a bronchodilator inhalant administered 90 minutes later, whereas no additive effect occurs when the drugs are given in reverse order.
- Patients have not developed tolerance to the drug during prolonged therapy.
- No toxic effects on the liver, kidneys or hematologic system have been reported in the long–term use of orciprenaline sulphate in man.
