Adrenergic bronchodilators: pharmacology and toxicology.

Advances in the understanding of catecholamine metabolism and adrenergic receptor biochemistry have permitted the development of a number of potent and relatively selective sympathomimetic drugs that are active after oral administration as well as when administered by injection or inhalation. Their toxicity derives solely from their effect as adrenergic agonists, and their appropriate use is based on understanding their pharmacology.