Dilevalol, the RR-stereoisomer of labetalol, is a non-cardioselective β-adrenoceptor antagonist with substantial partial β2-agonist and negligible α1-blocking activity. Reduction in blood pressure during dilevalol administration is associated with peripheral vasodilatation, and heart rate remains essentially unchanged. Following oral administration, dilevalol is completely absorbed. Once-daily administration is possible, due to a long elimination half-life. In vitro and in vivo animal studies and results obtained in humans reveal that dilevalol is a nonselective blocker of β1- and β2-adrenoceptors, with a similar potency to propranolol, but has negligible antagonistic activity at α1-receptors. Dilevalol, the R,R′ stereoisomer, makes up 25% of racemic labetalol, the drug, approved by FDA for the treatment of hypertension. The relaxing potency of dilevalol was approximately 4.7 times more potent than that of labetalol. Dilevalol markedly reduced the diastolic blood pressure with only a slight increase of heart rate In pithed rats, while isoproterenol and pindolol caused moderate to marked positive chronotropic effects in proportion to their hypotensive effects. These results suggest that dilevalol has more potent ISA than labetalol. In contrast to labetalol, dilevalol possesses little, if any, alpha-adrenergic blocking activity. The compound is 3 to 10 times less potent than labetalol at α1-adrenergic receptors under a variety of experimental conditions. Moreover, it is 300- to 1000-fold less potent at alpha1-adrenergic receptors compared with β1-adrenergic receptors. The pA2 values for dilevalol as an α antagonist range from 5.9 to 6.4. Because maximal plasma concentrations of the drug after administration of a 400-mg dose are approximately 0.5 pmol, it is doubtful that alpha blockade is involved in the antihypertensive response to dilevalol in humans.

Hexoprenaline is a selective beta2-adrenoreceptor agonist indicated for use in the treatment of bronchospasm associated with obstructive airways diseases, including asthma, bronchitis and emphysema. In many countries the drug is used as tocolytic agent (under the trade name gynipral).

Dopexamine hydrochloride is a synthetic catecholamine, structurally related to dopamine, with marked intrinsic agonist activity at beta 2-adrenoceptors, lesser agonist activity at dopamine DA1- and DA2-receptors and beta 1-adrenoceptors, and an inhibitory action on the neuronal catecholamine uptake mechanism. The drug is administered by intravenous infusion, and is characterized by a rapid onset and short duration of action. Dopexamine is being tested as a treatment for heart failure and sepsis.

Procaterol is a beta2-adrenoreceptor agonist. It is a bronchodilator that may be administered orally or by aerosol inhalation for the treatment of dyspnea caused by bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, and pulmonary emphysema. The drug is not approved in the USA, but is available in Japan, Indonesia, and other countries worldwide.

(-)-Propranolol is a small molecule β-adrenergic receptor antagonist and the active isomer of (±)-Propranolol preparations. (-)-Propranolol blocks the binding of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and other endogenous catecholamines to the β-adrenergic receptor, impeding increases in cardiac flow velocity and general stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system signaled by the association of these molecules to the β-adrenergic receptor. In addition to blockade of agonist binding, antagonism of the β-adrenergic receptor by (-)-Propranolol produces negative chronotropic and inotropic action, effectively dampening the force and rate of cardiac contraction. These negative chronotropic and inotropic effects correlate to a demonstrated suppression of adrenaline-induced cardiac arrhythmia by (-)-Propranolol. Suppression of β-adrenergic receptor activation by (-)-Propranolol has been widely exploited in counteracting situations sensitive to heightened cardiac activity including hypertension, angina pectoris, and cardiac ischemia.

Reproterol is a short-acting β2 adrenoreceptor agonist used in the treatment of asthma. Reproterol increases the generation of cAMP in isolated peripheral blood monocytes in vitro more effectively than does orciprenaline. In the presence of the highly potent but nonselective ß-antagonist, propranolol, the cAMP-generating action of reproterol was inhibited only partially. Reproterol has gained wide use when it was licensed as a fixed combination therapy with cromoglycate. Until today, the bronchodilator effects of reproterol and the bronchoprotective and anti-inflammatory actions of cromoglycate combined in one inhaler remain the successful fixed combination of a disease-modifying and symptomatic drug for the treatment of asthma.

Procaterol is a beta2-adrenoreceptor agonist. It is a bronchodilator that may be administered orally or by aerosol inhalation for the treatment of dyspnea caused by bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, and pulmonary emphysema. The drug is not approved in the USA, but is available in Japan, Indonesia, and other countries worldwide.

Celiprolol is beta blocker, used to treat high blood pressure. Celiprolol is a selective β1 receptor antagonist, β2 receptor partial agonist. Celiprolol is not approved by the FDA, but is available worldwide under brand names Cardem, Selectol, Celipres, Celipro, Celol, Cordiax, Dilanorm. It is used to treat mild to moderate hypertension and angina prectoris. In 2010 celiprolol has demonstrated positive results in the prevention of vascular complications of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Celiprolol has fewer CNS-related side effects than other beta blockers presumably because of limited penetration through blood-brain barrier because of its solubility.

Etilefrine is a cardiac stimulant used as an antihypotensive. Intravenous infusion of this compound increases cardiac output, stroke volume, venous return and blood pressure in man and experimental animals, suggesting stimulation of both α and β adrenergic receptors. However, in vitro studies indicate that etilefrine has a much higher affinity for β1 (cardiac) than for β2 adrenoreceptors. Intravenous etilefrine increases the pulse rate, cardiac output, stroke volume, central venous pressure and mean arterial pressure of healthy individuals. Marked falls in pulse rate, cardiac output, stroke volume and peripheral bloodflow, accompanied by rises in mean arterial pressure, occur when etilefrine is infused after administration of intravenous propranolol 2,5 mg. These findings indicate that etilefrine has both β1 and α1 adrenergic effects in man. The French Health Products Agency concluded that etilefrine and heptaminol have an unfavourable harm-benefit balance, and also placed restrictions on the use of midodrine.