Question

You are treating an asthmatic who also happens to be taking propranolol (a β blocker) for a history of cardiac arrhythmias. What type of effect would you expect albuterol to have on this patient?

A. Antagonistic effect
B. Synergistic effect
C. Little or no effect
D. Additive effect

Answer 1

Albuterol's effectiveness would likely be diminished due to its antagonistic interaction with propranolol, a β-blocker that the patient is taking for cardiac arrhythmias, leading to less bronchodilation.

Step-by-step explanation:

In treating an asthmatic patient who is taking propranolol (a β-blocker), one would expect albuterol to have an antagonistic effect on this patient. Propranolol, which is used to treat cardiac arrhythmias, blocks β-receptors associated with vasoconstriction and cardioacceleration. Albuterol, on the other hand, is a β-agonist typically used in asthma to stimulate these receptors and cause bronchodilation. When used together, propranolol may reduce the effectiveness of albuterol, leading to less bronchodilation than if albuterol were used alone.

β-blockers like propranolol can decrease heart rate and blood pressure by inhibiting the action of adrenaline. Since albuterol aims to achieve a stimulatory effect, its therapeutic action may be diminished by propranolol's antagonistic action at the β-receptors.