Drug Name:	Brand Names:	Drug Class:	Indications:	Mechanism of Action:
Albuterol sulfate	Proventil, Proventil HFA, Ventolin, Ventolin HFA, VoSpire, ProAir HFA, AccuNeb	bronchodilator, beta-2 adrenergic agonist, sympathomimetic amine	Bronchospasm; Acute asthma exacerbation; Exercise-induced asthma Prophylaxis	Selectively stimulates the beta-2 adrenergic receptors of intracellular adenyl cyclase, the catalyst for the conversion of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to cyclic-1’,5’-adenosine monophosphate (cyclic AMP). This action causes an increase in cyclic AMP levels resulting in bronchial smooth muscle relaxation, and inhibition of the release of immediate hypersensitivity mediators from the mast cells.
Levalbuterol hydrochloride	Xopenex, Xopenex Pediatric	beta-2 adrenergic agonist; sympathomimetic; bronchodilator	Asthma; COPD (Off-Label)	This selective beta-2 adrenergic agonist causes an increase in cyclic-AMP by stimulating beta-2 adrenergic adenylcyclic receptors. This action results in the stimulation of protein kinase A which causes a decrease of intracellular ionic calcium concentration and the inhibition of myosin phosphorylation. This results in airway smooth muscle relaxation, and blocks the release of inflammatory mediators from mast cells.
Levalbuterol tartrate	Xopenex HFA	beta-2 adrenergic agonist; sympathomimetic; bronchodilator	Asthma; COPD (Off-Label)	This selective beta-2 adrenergic agonist causes an increase in cyclic-AMP by stimulating beta-2 adrenergic adenylcyclic receptors. This action results in the stimulation of protein kinase A which causes a decrease of intracellular ionic calcium concentration and the inhibition of myosin phosphorylation. This results in airway smooth muscle relaxation, and blocks the release of inflammatory mediators from mast cells.
Metaproterenol sulfate	Alupent	beta-2 adrenergic agonist; sympathomimetic; bronchodilator	Asthma; Bronchospasm	Sympathomimetic amine; beta-2 adrenergic agonist. It selectively stimulates the beta-2 adrenergic receptors of intracellular adenyl cyclase, the catalyst for the conversion of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to cyclic-1’,5’-adenosine monophosphate (cyclic AMP). This action causes an increase in cyclic AMP levels resulting in bronchial smooth muscle relaxation, and inhibition of the release of immediate hypersensitivity mediators from the mast cells.
Pirbuterol acetate	Maxair; Maxair Autohaler	beta-2 adrenergic agonist; sympathomimetic; bronchodilator	Bronchospasm	Selectively stimulates the beta-2 adrenergic receptors of intracellular adenyl cyclase, the catalyst for the conversion of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to cyclic-1’,5’-adenosine monophosphate (cyclic AMP). This action causes an increase in cyclic AMP levels resulting in bronchial smooth muscle relaxation, and inhibition of the release of immediate hypersensitivity inflamatory mediators.
Terbutaline sulfate (SO4)	Brethine	bronchodilator, beta-2 adrenergic agonist, sympathomimetic amine	Asthma (treatment and prophylaxis); Reversible bronchospasm associated with bronchitis and emphysema (treatment & prophylaxis)	Terbutaline sulfate stimulates intracellular beta-2 adenyl cyclase receptors resulting in an increase in cyclic-AMP. This causes relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle, and inhibition of inflamatory mediators.