Biomaterial Database

Adverse reactions associated with parenteral beta agonists: serum potassium changes. 1987

S L Spector

UCLA School of Medicine 90024.

Beta adrenergic agonists can lower serum potassium levels predominantly when they are administered by the parenteral route. Hypokalemia has been demonstrated with the use of albuterol given by the intramuscular, intravenous and subcutaneous (SC) routes as well as with SC epinephrine. The effect appears to be dose related. Certain patients might be at increased risk who are on medications that tend to lower potassium such as corticosteroids, theophylline, diuretics or digoxin. Further studies should be encouraged on the hypokalemic effect of all forms of beta agonists in view of their possible contribution toward arrhythmias and asthma deaths.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007008	Hypokalemia	Abnormally low potassium concentration in the blood. It may result from potassium loss by renal secretion or by the gastrointestinal route, as by vomiting or diarrhea. It may be manifested clinically by neuromuscular disorders ranging from weakness to paralysis, by electrocardiographic abnormalities (depression of the T wave and elevation of the U wave), by renal disease, and by gastrointestinal disorders. (Dorland, 27th ed)	Hypopotassemia,Hypokalemias,Hypopotassemias
D007273	Injections, Intramuscular	Forceful administration into a muscle of liquid medication, nutrient, or other fluid through a hollow needle piercing the muscle and any tissue covering it.	Intramuscular Injections,Injection, Intramuscular,Intramuscular Injection
D007275	Injections, Intravenous	Injections made into a vein for therapeutic or experimental purposes.	Intravenous Injections,Injection, Intravenous,Intravenous Injection
D007279	Injections, Subcutaneous	Forceful administration under the skin of liquid medication, nutrient, or other fluid through a hollow needle piercing the skin.	Subcutaneous Injections,Injection, Subcutaneous,Subcutaneous Injection
D008297	Male		Males
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D011188	Potassium	An element in the alkali group of metals with an atomic symbol K, atomic number 19, and atomic weight 39.10. It is the chief cation in the intracellular fluid of muscle and other cells. Potassium ion is a strong electrolyte that plays a significant role in the regulation of fluid volume and maintenance of the WATER-ELECTROLYTE BALANCE.
D002986	Clinical Trials as Topic	Works about pre-planned studies of the safety, efficacy, or optimum dosage schedule (if appropriate) of one or more diagnostic, therapeutic, or prophylactic drugs, devices, or techniques selected according to predetermined criteria of eligibility and observed for predefined evidence of favorable and unfavorable effects. This concept includes clinical trials conducted both in the U.S. and in other countries.	Clinical Trial as Topic
D004305	Dose-Response Relationship, Drug	The relationship between the dose of an administered drug and the response of the organism to the drug.	Dose Response Relationship, Drug,Dose-Response Relationships, Drug,Drug Dose-Response Relationship,Drug Dose-Response Relationships,Relationship, Drug Dose-Response,Relationships, Drug Dose-Response
D004311	Double-Blind Method	A method of studying a drug or procedure in which both the subjects and investigators are kept unaware of who is actually getting which specific treatment.	Double-Masked Study,Double-Blind Study,Double-Masked Method,Double Blind Method,Double Blind Study,Double Masked Method,Double Masked Study,Double-Blind Methods,Double-Blind Studies,Double-Masked Methods,Double-Masked Studies,Method, Double-Blind,Method, Double-Masked,Methods, Double-Blind,Methods, Double-Masked,Studies, Double-Blind,Studies, Double-Masked,Study, Double-Blind,Study, Double-Masked