Orciprenaline

Routes of
administrationInhalation (MDI) and tabletsATC codeLegal statusLegal status Pharmacokinetic dataBioavailability3% if inhaled, 40% if taken orallyMetabolismGastrointestinal and hepaticElimination half-life6 hoursIdentifiersCAS NumberPubChem CIDIUPHAR/BPSDrugBankChemSpiderUNIIKEGGChEBIChEMBLCompTox Dashboard (EPA)ECHA InfoCard100.008.701 Chemical and physical dataFormulaC₁₁H₁₇NO₃Molar mass211.261 g·mol⁻¹3D model (JSmol)ChiralityRacemic mixtureSolubility in water9.7 mg/mL (20 °C) ^NY (what is this?)  (verify)

Orciprenaline, also known as metaproterenol, is a bronchodilator used in the treatment of asthma.^[1][2] Orciprenaline is a moderately selective β₂ 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 α adrenergic receptors. The pharmacologic effects of β adrenergic agonist drugs, such as orciprenaline, are at least in part attributable to stimulation through β adrenergic receptors of intracellular adenylyl 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

• 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

• Alupent
• Metaprel
• Orcibest

References