Fenoterol

 Risk Factor: B
 Class: AUTONOMICS / Sympathomimetics (Adrenergics)

Contents of this page:

Fetal Risk Summary
Breast Feeding Summary
References
Questions and Answers

Fetal Risk Summary

No reports linking the use of fenoterol with congenital defects have been located. Fenoterol, a b-sympathomimetic, has been used to prevent premature labor (1,2). The effects in the mother, fetus, and newborn are similar to those produced by the parent compound (see Metaproterenol). Fenoterol has been shown to inhibit prostaglandin-induced uterine activity at term (3).

Fenoterol was administered to 11 patients 30 minutes before cesarean section under general anesthesia at an infusion rate of 3 g/minute (4). No adverse effects were seen in the mother, fetus, or newborn after this short exposure. Infusion in hypertensive pregnant patients caused a greater drop in diastolic blood pressure than did the same dose in normotensive pregnant women (5). Other cardiovascular parameters in the mothers and fetuses were comparable between the two groups.

Breast Feeding Summary

No data are available.

References

1. Lipshitz J, Baillie P, Davey DA. A comparison of the uterine beta-2-adrenoreceptor selectivity of fenoterol, hexoprenaline, ritodrine and salbutamol. S Afr Med J 1976;50:196972.
2. Lipshitz J. The uterine and cardiovascular effects of oral fenoterol hydrochloride. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1977;84:7379.
3. Lipshitz J, Lipshitz EM. Uterine and cardiovascular effects of fenoterol and hexoprenaline in prostaglandin F2a-induced labor in humans. Obstet Gynecol 1984;63:396400.
4. Jouppila R, Kauppila A, Tuimala R, Pakarinen A, Moilanen K. Maternal, fetal and neonatal effects of beta-adrenergic stimulation in connection with cesarean section. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 1980;59:48993.
5. Oddoy UA, Joschko K. Effects of fenoterol on blood pressure, heart rate, and cardiotocogram of hypertensive and normotensive women in advanced pregnancy. Zentralbl Gynakol 1982;104:41521.