It is classed as sympathomimetic β2 agonist and an inhaled bronchodilator asthma medication.

Fenoterol is produced and sold by Boehringer Ingelheim as Berotec N and in combination with ipratropium as Berodual N. It was patented in 1962 and came into medical use in 1971[5] but, in the 1980s, concerns emerged about its safety and its use being associated with an increased risk of death (see below).

[8] A series of case-control studies demonstrated that asthmatics using fenoterol were more likely to die of asthma compared with controls treated with alternative beta agonists; this risk of asthma deaths was particularly high in severe asthmatics.

[9][10] The mortality rate declined following withdrawal of fenoterol[11] without evidence supporting an alternative explanation for the abrupt rise and fall in asthma deaths.

[13] There are alternative short-acting beta agonists that have not been associated with increased mortality e.g. salbutamol.