[Almitrine: a peripheral respiratory stimulant in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

Almitrine dimesylate is a peripheral respiratory stimulant which is effective both on long and short term treatment of chronic obstructive lung disease. The individual therapeutic response, however, is very variable and approximately 25% of patients might not respond to treatment. The recommended doses are 50-100 mg per day during two months, followed by a resting month. Higher doses or longer treatments could provoke high serum levels which in turn would increase the risk of pulmonary hypertension and peripheral neuropathies. Almitrine is not commercialized in Spain as a single drug or for the cited indications.