Alti-Orciprenaline

Metaproterenol is used to treat asthma and bronchospasm in patients with bronchitis, emphysema, and other lung diseases.

Metaproterenol belongs to the family of medicines known as adrenergic bronchodilators. Adrenergic bronchodilators are medicines that open up the bronchial tubes (air passages) in the lungs. They relieve cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, and troubled breathing by increasing the flow of air through the bronchial tubes.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

It is very important that your doctor check your progress or your child's progress at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to check for any unwanted effects.

Check with your doctor at once if you or your child continue to have breathing problems after using a dose of this medicine or if your condition gets worse.

Do not change your dose or stop using this medicine without asking your doctor first.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines for appetite control, asthma, colds, cough, hay fever, or sinus problems, and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Applies to metaproterenol: compounding powder, inhalation aerosol, inhalation aerosol with adapter, inhalation solution, oral syrup, oral tablet

General

Metaproterenol has been usually well-tolerated and adverse effects that occurred were consistent with its pharmacological activity. Additionally, partial or complete tolerance may develop to these side effects. In general, the severity of these effects are dependent on the dose and the route of administration. Metaproterenol given by metered dose inhaler (MDI) is associated with less systemic effects than administration of higher dosages orally or by nebulizer.[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular side effects have included palpitations and peripheral vasodilation, commonly resulting in reflex tachycardia. This may be caused by the interaction of metaproterenol with beta-1 and beta-2 receptors. Blood pressure may increase or decrease. Metaproterenol in higher dosages may rarely aggravate angina, myocardial ischemia, or cause atrial or ventricular arrhythmias.[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Musculoskeletal side effects have included tremors. Tolerance often develop to the tremorogenic effects following prolonged use of this medication. Severe muscle cramping may occur infrequently.[Ref]

Metabolic

The hypokalemic effect is due to the stimulation of beta-2 receptors that are linked to sodium-potassium ATPase in skeletal muscles, resulting in an intracellular influx of potassium.[Ref]

Metabolic side effects have included hypokalemia, hypophosphatemia, hyperglycemia, and elevations in plasma insulin.[Ref]

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects have included restlessness, nervousness, anxiety, irritability, headache, dizziness, and insomnia.[Ref]

Other

Other side effects have included the development of tachyphylaxis to the bronchodilating effects of metaproterenol. Although conflicting data exist, complete clinical tolerance has not been observed.[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

A 25-year-old woman respiratory therapist with a history of an itchy dermatitis on the face, neck, and upper extremities showed a positive reaction to metaproterenol on skin patch testing.[Ref]

Hypersensitivity side effects have included rare reports of dermatitis.[Ref]

Respiratory

Respiratory side effects have included pulmonary edema in pregnant patients receiving the drug intravenously.[Ref]

Some side effects of metaproterenol may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.

Oral: 20 mg 3 to 4 times a day.
Inhalation aerosol: 2 to 3 inhalations every 3 to 4 hours, up to 12 inhalations/day.
Inhalation solution: 10 to 15 mg (0.2 to 0.3 mL of 5% solution) every 4 to 6 hours.

Data not available

Data not available

Data not available

There are no data on the excretion of metaproterenol into human milk. The manufacturer recommends that caution be used when administering metaproterenol to nursing women.

Substance Name

Metaproterenol

CAS Registry Number

586-06-1

Drug Class

Anti-Asthmatic Agents

Bronchodilators

Beta Adrenergic Agonists