Drug Safety Update
CSM has advised that potentially serious hypokalaemia may result from beta-2 agonist therapy. This may be exacerbated by corticosteroids, theophylline, diuretics and hypoxia. Plasma potassium may need to be monitored in severe asthma
December 2007: Short-acting beta-2 agonists may be associated with myocardial ischaemia
December 2014: Short-acting beta-2 agonists: restricted use for tocolysis in premature labour
July 2018: Pressurised metered dose inhalers (pMDI): risk of airway obstruction from aspiration of loose objects