title: Prevention of epinephrine-induced hypokalemia by nonselective beta blockers.
abstract: Experimental evidence is presented that activation of beta 2 adrenoreceptors causes a dose-dependent decrease in plasma potassium, probably by shifting potassium into the cell. By this mechanism epinephrine may cause hypokalemia and predispose to cardiac arrhythmias. Prevention of these effects by nonselective beta blockers may contribute to the cardioprotective action of these drugs.
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Vincent
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Man in't Veld
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Boomsma
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Schalekamp
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000420:Albuterol / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007545:Isoproterenol / Q000494:pharmacology; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood*; D011217:Practolol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D011294:Prenalterol; D011433:Propranolol / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D011433:Propranolol; D007545:Isoproterenol; D011294:Prenalterol; D000420:Albuterol; D011188:Potassium; D011217:Practolol; D004837:Epinephrine