Beta-2 agonist
Beta-2 adrenergic receptor agonist
- Bronchodilation
- Bronchodilation – inhalers for asthma and COPD
- Limited CNS effect
- Tremor via muscle spindles
- Uterine smooth-muscle relaxation
- Shifts K⁺ into cells → hypokalemia
- Glycogenolysis → ↑ serum glucose
- Vasodilation → ↓ afterload / ↓ systemic vascular resistance
Drugs with this mechanism (13)
- Albuterol — Short-acting beta-2 agonist; the classic rescue bronchodilator.
- Albuterol nebulizer — Nebulized short-acting beta-2 agonist for rescue when inhaler delivery is inadequate.
- Arformoterol — Nebulized single-enantiomer LABA for COPD.
- Dobutamine — Beta-1 inotrope; titratable within minutes.
- Epinephrine — Endogenous catecholamine; the first-line drug for anaphylaxis and arrest.
- Formoterol — Long-acting beta-2 agonist with rapid onset.
- Indacaterol — Once-daily long-acting beta-2 agonist for COPD.
- Isoproterenol — Nonselective beta agonist; increases heart rate and contractility.
- Levalbuterol — Albuterol R-isomer; short-acting beta-2 bronchodilator.
- Olodaterol — Once-daily LABA for COPD.
- Salmeterol — Long-acting beta-2 agonist; slow onset, always paired with a steroid in asthma.
- Terbutaline — Beta-2 agonist bronchodilator and off-label tocolytic.
- Vilanterol — Once-daily long-acting beta-2 agonist (in combination inhalers).
Self-check
- Why can beta-2 agonism cause hypokalemia?
Shifts potassium into cells. - How does beta-2 agonism affect uterine smooth muscle?
Relaxes it.
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