“The β 1 ‐selective adrenoceptor agonist dobutamine”: A fallacy being perpetuated

Dobutamine is a cardiotonic agent, developed as a racemate more than 30 years ago. The compound soon got the label “the β 1 ‐selective adrenoceptor agonist”. However, a closer examination of the enantiomers showed that (+)‐dobutamine is predominantly a β 1 ‐ and β 2 ‐adrenoceptor agonist with modest selectivity whereas (−)‐dobutamine is predominantly an α 1 ‐adrenoceptor agonist. Nevertheless, rac dobutamine is still frequently used as a tool for classification of β‐adrenoceptors. This ignorance of chiralilty may lead to erroneous conclusions and consolidate false labels. Chirality, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.