Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Orciprenaline
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Orciprenaline (INN, also known as metaproterenol) is a bronchodilator used in the treatment of asthma.[1][2] Orciprenaline is a moderately selective beta2-adrenergic receptor agonist that stimulates receptors of the smooth muscle in the lungs, uterus, and vasculature supplying skeletal muscle, with minimal or no effect on alpha-adrenergic receptors. The pharmacologic effects of beta adrenergic agonist drugs, such as orciprenaline, are at least in part attributable to stimulation through beta adrenergic receptors of intracellular adenyl cyclase, the enzyme which catalyzes the conversion of ATP to cAMP. Increased cAMP levels are associated with relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle and inhibition of release of mediators of immediate hypersensitivity from many cells, especially from mast cells.
Possible side effects
Possible side effects
- tremor
- nervousness
- dizziness
- weakness
- headache
- nausea
- tachycardia
- Rare side effects that could be life-threatening
- increased difficulty breathing
- rapid or increased heart rate
- irregular heartbeat
- chest pain or discomfort
Brand names
Brand names
- Alupent
- Metaprel
References
References
- ↑ Knox C, Law V, Jewison T, Liu P, Ly S, Frolkis A, Pon A, Banco K, Mak C, Neveu V, Djoumbou Y, Eisner R, Guo AC, Wishart DS (2011). “DrugBank 3.0: a comprehensive resource for omics research on drugs”. Nucleic Acids Res. 39 (Database issue): D1035–41. doi:10.1093/nar/gkq1126. PMC 3013709. PMID 21059682.
- ↑ Wishart DS, Knox C, Guo AC, Cheng D, Shrivastava S, Tzur D, Gautam B, Hassanali M (2008). “DrugBank: a knowledgebase for drugs, drug actions and drug targets”. Nucleic Acids Res. 36 (Database issue): D901–6. doi:10.1093/nar/gkm958. PMC 2238889. PMID 18048412.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]