title: A comparison of the uterine beta2-adrenoreceptor selectivity of fenoterol, hexoprenaline, ritodrine and salbutamol.
abstract: A study was undertaken to compare the uterine beta2-adrenoreceptor selectivity of fenoterol, hexoprenaline, ritodrine and salbutamol. The drugs in doses having an equivalent effect on uterine activity, were randomly administered as an intravenous bolus to 10 patients who had been induced at term. The cardiovascular and uterine effects of the drugs were recorded. The rise in maternal pulse rate was significantly less (P less than 0,001) after the administration of hexoprenaline when it was compared with fenoterol, ritodrine, and salbutamol. Hexoprenaline proved to be the most chronotropically beta2-selective drug, having the least effect on the beta1-adrenoreceptors of the heart, for an equivalent effect on the uterus. Blood pressure changes were less significantly different between the drugs. The clinical use in obstetrics of a highly beta2-selective sympathomimetic drug is discussed.
mesh_terms: D000420:Albuterol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D003864:Depression, Chemical; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005280:Fenoterol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005318:Fetal Heart / Q000187:drug effects; D006594:Hexoprenaline / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007751:Labor, Induced; D010627:Phenethylamines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011412:Propanolamines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011674:Pulse / Q000187:drug effects; D012312:Ritodrine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014590:Uterine Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D004983:Ethanolamines; D010627:Phenethylamines; D011412:Propanolamines; D005280:Fenoterol; D006594:Hexoprenaline; D012312:Ritodrine; D000420:Albuterol