{"id":246,"date":"2019-11-14T18:59:33","date_gmt":"2019-11-14T23:59:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/nursingpharmacology\/chapter\/5-10-beta-2-agonist\/"},"modified":"2023-08-15T13:00:23","modified_gmt":"2023-08-15T17:00:23","slug":"5-10-beta-2-agonist","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/nursingpharmacology\/chapter\/5-10-beta-2-agonist\/","title":{"raw":"5.10 Beta-2 Agonist","rendered":"5.10 Beta-2 Agonist"},"content":{"raw":"

Beta-2 Agonist<\/h1>\r\nAlbuterol is an example of a short-acting Beta-2 agonist. See Figures 5.10[footnote]\"Ventolin\u00ae HFA (Albuterol Sulfate) Inhaler.jpg<\/a>\" by MisterNarwhal<\/a> is licensed under CC BY SA 4.0<\/a>[\/footnote] and 5.10a[footnote]\"Albuterol 2.jpg<\/a>\" by Mark Oniffrey<\/a> is licensed under CC BY SA 4.0<\/a>[\/footnote] for images of an albuterol inhaler and nebulizer.\r\n\r\nSalmeterol is an example of a long-acting Beta-2 agonist.\r\n\r\nSee the \"Autonomic Nervous System: Beta-2 Agonists\"<\/a> chapter for more information regarding Beta-2 agonists.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_243\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"281\"]\"\" Figure 5.10 An albuterol inhaler[\/caption]\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_244\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"448\"]\"\" Figure\u00a0 5.10a A vial of albuterol sulfate for inhalation[\/caption]\r\n

Mechanism of Action<\/h2>\r\nAlbuterol and salmeterol stimulate Beta 2-adrenergic receptors in the smooth muscle of bronchi and bronchioles producing bronchodilation. Beta-1 receptors can also be inadvertently stimulated, causing tachycardia.\r\n

I<\/strong>ndications for Use<\/h2>\r\nShort-acting albuterol is used to prevent or treat bronchospasms in people with asthma, reversible obstructive airway disease, or exercise-induced bronchospasm. Long-acting salmeterol is used to prevent bronchospasm.\r\n

Adverse\/Side Effects<\/h2>\r\nBeta-2 agonists can cause muscle tremor, excessive cardiac stimulation, and CNS stimulation.[footnote]Frandsen, G. & Pennington, S. (2018). Abrams\u2019 clinical drug: Rationales for nursing practice <\/em>(11th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.[\/footnote]\r\n

Beta 2- Agonists Across a Life Span<\/h2>\r\nBeta 2 receptors are found in babies from the 16th week of gestation.\u00a0 Short acting Beta 2-agonists therefore work well for children with asthma attacks as needed with chronic asthma.\u00a0 Some examples of usage include salbutamol or albuterol, and terbutaline.\u00a0 The best route to choose for preschool-aged children is a pressurized metered dose inhaler with a spacer device. Since there are some new oral formulations that are long acting Beta 2-agonists, medical investigation is underway as to whether the use of these oral forms for the child age population would be appropriate.\u00a0 Currently though, short acting Beta 2-agonists are used.\r\n

Client Teaching & Education<\/h2>\r\nClients should be instructed to take medication as directed and report to their healthcare provider any sustained or worsening symptoms.\u00a0 When first using an inhaler, clients should be instructed to prime the inhaler unit prior to administering their medication.\u00a0 Use of medications like albuterol can cause an unusual taste in the mouth, and rinsing the mouth with water after use is permitted.\u00a0 Clients should have an understanding of medication onset and use short-acting and long-acting inhalers appropriately.[footnote]uCentral from Unbound Medicine. https:\/\/www.unboundmedicine.com\/ucentral<\/a>[\/footnote]\r\n

Albuterol and Salmeterol Medication Card<\/h1>\r\nNow let's take a closer look at the medication card for albuterol and salmeterol.[footnote]This work is a derivative of\u00a0Pharmacology Notes: Nursing Implications for Clinical Practice<\/a>\u00a0by\u00a0Gloria Velarde<\/a>\u00a0licensed under\u00a0CC BY-NC-SA 4.0<\/a>.[\/footnote],[footnote]This work is a derivative of\u00a0Daily Med<\/a>\u00a0by\u00a0U.S. National Library of Medicine<\/a>\u00a0in the public domain. [\/footnote],[footnote]Frandsen, G. & Pennington, S. (2018).\u00a0Abrams\u2019 clinical drug: Rationales for nursing practice\u00a0<\/em>(11th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.[\/footnote],[footnote]This work is a derivative of\u00a0Daily Med<\/a>\u00a0by\u00a0U.S. National Library of Medicine<\/a>\u00a0in the public domain<\/a>. [\/footnote],[footnote]Adams, M., Holland, N., & Urban, C. (2020).\u00a0Pharmacology for nurses: A pathophysiologic approach\u00a0<\/em>(6th ed.). pp. 622-63 & 626. Pearson.[\/footnote]<\/span>\r\n
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Medication Card 5.10.1: Albuterol and Salmeterol<\/h2>\r\n<\/header>\r\n
\r\n\r\nClass: <\/strong>Beta- 2 Agonists\r\n\r\nPrototype<\/strong>: Salmeterol (long acting) and Albuterol (short acting)\r\n\r\nMechanism:\u00a0 <\/strong>Albuterol and salmeterol stimulate Beta 2-adrenergic receptors in the smooth muscle of bronchi and bronchioles producing bronchodilation. Beta-1 receptors can also be inadvertently stimulated, causing tachycardia.\r\n

Therapeutic Effects<\/h3>\r\n