Beta₂-agonists act primarily to relax airway smooth muscle by stimulating beta₂-receptors, which in turn increase cyclic AMP and produce functional antagonism to bronchoconstriction. Long-term control medications for persons with asthma include corticosteroids, cromolyn sodium and nedocromil, methylxanthines, leukotriene modifiers, and long-acting beta₂-agonists (LABAs). Medications for quick relief of bronchoconstriction and acute symptoms include short-acting beta₂-agonists (SABAs) and anticholinergics. COPD is a slowly progressive disease of the airways that is characterized by a gradual loss of lung function. Since airflow obstruction is present in all persons with COPD, bronchodilators (beta₂-agonists, anticholinergic drugs, and methylxanthines) are a key part of therapy. The purpose of this review is to compare the benefits and harms of different beta₂-agonists.

Contents

• Introduction
  • Asthma
  • Exercise-Induced Asthma (EIA)
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
  • Inhaled beta₂-agonists
  • Scope and Key Questions
• Methods
  • Literature Search
  • Study Selection
  • Data Abstraction
  • Quality Assessment
  • Data Analysis and Synthesis
• Results
  • Systematic reviews
  • Efficacy and effectiveness
  • Safety
  • Overview of adverse events
  • Subpopulations
• Conclusions
• References
• Appendixes
  • Appendix A. Search Strategies
  • Appendix B. Quality assessment methods for drug class reviews for the Drug Effectiveness Review Project
  • Appendix C. Cochrane Systematic Reviews Related to Beta₂- agonists
  • Appendix D. Excluded Studies
  • Appendix E. Adverse Events for Included Studies
  • Appendix F. Abbreviations
• Evidence Tables

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The purpose of this report is to make available information regarding the comparative effectiveness and safety profiles of different drugs within pharmaceutical classes. Reports are not usage guidelines, nor should they be read as an endorsement of, or recommendation for, any particular drug, use or approach. Oregon Health & Science University does not recommend or endorse any guideline or recommendation developed by users of these reports.