Pharmacology of beta adrenergic inhibing agents
Giudicelli, J.F.
Therapie 35(1): 23-43
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0040-5957 PMID: 6106301 Document Number: 161636
The .beta.-adrenergic inhibiting agents are competitive and specific antagonists of the .beta.-adrenergic effects of catecholamines in man. Three major groups of substances can be described: the 1st group consists of substances with a moderate .beta.-adrenolytic action, the 2nd group has an oxymethyl group on the lateral chain and a rather stronger action, the 3rd group is made up of substances called cardioselective with an aromatic nucleus substituted in parallel to the lateral chain. Apart from their .beta.-adrenolytic action, some of these agents have a partial .beta.-agonist action (intrinsic .beta.-stimulating action). They may have a stabilizing action on membrane with a reduction of the permeability of the cell membrane to ionic exchanges. The .beta.-adrenergic actions are divided into 2 categories: .beta.1 cardiac effects, .beta.2 vascular and bronchial effects. The majority of the products block all the .beta. adrenergic actions (.beta.1 and .beta.2), but some block only the .beta.1 action, especially practolol, acebutolol, atenolol and metoprolol. Other agents only block the .beta.2 action: e.g., butoxamine. This selectivity is limited and, at high doses, e.g., there is not much selectivity.