Beta2-adrenergic agonist

In addition, β2 agonists open large conductance calcium-activated potassium channels and thereby tend to hyperpolarize airway smooth muscle cells.

[9] Salbutamol (INN) or albuterol (USAN) and some other β2 agonists, such as formoterol, also are sold in a solution form for nebulization, which is more commonly used than inhalers in emergency rooms.

[12] On 18 November 2005, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) alerted healthcare professionals and patients that several long-acting bronchodilator medicines have been associated with possible increased risk of worsening wheezing in some people, and requested that manufacturers update warnings in their existing product labeling.

[medical citation needed] A 2006 meta-analysis found that "regularly inhaled β agonists (orciprenaline/metaproterenol [Alupent], formoterol [Foradil], fluticasone+salmeterol [Serevent, Advair], and salbutamol/albuterol [Proventil, Ventolin, Volmax, and others]) increased the risk of respiratory death more than two-fold, compared with a placebo," while[vague] used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

[14] They can be divided into short-acting, long-acting, and ultra-long-acting beta adrenoreceptor agonists: Generic name—Trade name [17][18] New drugs in this class with more selective activity or that act simultaneously as muscarinic receptor antagonists are under development as of 2023.