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Metabolic effects of β 2 ‐agonists
Author(s) -
Haffner C A.,
Kendall M. J.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
journal of clinical pharmacy and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.622
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1365-2710
pISSN - 0269-4727
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2710.1992.tb01285.x
Subject(s) - lipolysis , hypokalemia , lactic acidosis , medicine , insulin , endocrinology , stimulation , metabolic acidosis , pharmacology , adipose tissue
SUMMARY Catecholamines produce a number of biochemical changes most of which result from stimulation of β 2 ‐receptors. Interest in these metabolic effects has increased recently as a consequence of the concern over the relatively high mortality from acute asthma attacks. In this review the data on the impact of β 2 ‐agonists on glucose production, insulin release and lipolysis are presented. Thereafter the subject of hypokalemia, the mechanism for its production by β 2 ‐agonists and its relevance to cardiac arrhythmias are considered in detail. Finally the fall in plasma magnesium and the possible role of β 2 ‐agonists in the production of lactic acidosis are discussed.