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Inhaled β2-agonists in asthma management: an evolving story

Sympathomimetic agents have been known in Chinese medicine for at least 5000 years as a drug to treat disorders of respiratory tract; however, they were introduced to western medicine mainly in the beginning of the 20th century.

Adrenaline and isoproterenol were the first to be introduced, although, being unselective β-agonists, they were prone to significant side-effects. Through the years, new formulations and routes of administration of these drugs, namely the inhaled route, were associated with more bronchodilation effect and fewer side-effects than the oral or subcutaneous ones.The discovery by Lands et al.  that β-receptors can be subdivided in β1, located in the heart and…

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Articles of Interest

Beta-2 Agonists Pharmacology!

Beta-2 agonists are medicines used in the treatment of asthma, COPD and hyperkalemia. Here, we review the primary drug members, how they work, and what side effects and drug interactions the medicines are linked to.

Beta-Agonists (SABAs and LABAs)

Long-acting bronchodilators last for 12-24 hours. However, it can take up to 30 minutes to feel their full effect. They include long-acting beta-agonists (LABAs) and long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMAs). Many inhalers contain combinations of long-acting bronchodilators. Using them on a regular basis helps keep your airways open day and night.

High use of short-acting beta 2 agonists may be ‘danger signal’ of more severe asthma

By over-relying on SABA, the researchers said, airway inflammation is not treated, and the downregulation of beta 2 receptors is not reversed, increasing the risk for negative outcomes with asthma. Also, the researchers continued, patients often poorly understand these interactions.

Is it time to move away from short-acting beta-agonists in asthma management?

Frequent SABA use is associated with adverse asthma outcomes and evidence suggests replacing SABA with fast-acting LABA/ICS as reliever therapy reduces asthma exacerbation risk. We believe the time has come to move away from SABAs in asthma management.

β-Agonists and asthma: too much of a good thing?

In an unusual paradox, asthmatics who are chronically treated with bronchodilating β-agonists sometimes experience a worsening of their condition. A new study describes one possible mechanism and reveals a potential new therapeutic target in the treatment of asthma.

β2-agonists

History suggests β agonists, the cognate ligand of the β2adrenoceptor, have been used as bronchodilators for around 5000 years, and β agonists remain today the frontline treatment for asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The β agonists used clinically today are the products of significant expenditure and over a hundred year's intensive research aimed at minimising side effects and enhancing therapeutic usefulness.

Resources

Beta-2 agonist List

Short-acting beta2 agonists and Short-acting beta2 agonists...

StatPearls

Beta-2 adrenergic agonists are a drug class used as a mainstay treatment for respiratory diseases such as bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). They replicate the functions of catecholamines such as epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine in producing different autonomic responses within the body.