Beta-2 Agonists (class)

Raw research findings for this medication. Mostly single studies, not curated or confirmed robust.

About Beta-2 Agonists

What it is

Beta-2 agonists are a class of medicines that activate beta-2 receptors on airway smooth muscle, relaxing the airways. Short-acting ones (SABAs) such as salbutamol and terbutaline relieve wheeze within minutes; long-acting ones (LABAs) such as salmeterol, formoterol and vilanterol, combined with an inhaled steroid, keep airways open in asthma and COPD. This page collects studies on beta-2 agonists as a group.

How genes come into it

The most studied gene for the class is ADRB2, the beta-2 receptor itself: its Arg16Gly variant was once thought to make regular use less effective, but large trials did not confirm a clinically useful difference. Studies have also looked at CRHR2, ARG1 (arginase), VDR and ADAM33 for bronchodilator response. The findings come from a few studies, and there is no CPIC or DPWG guideline.

What research found

Every published finding on gene variants and Beta-2 Agonists. Upload your DNA file to see which of these rows apply to you.

Rated evidence (7 rated variants)

PharmGKB weighs all studies of a variant and rates how strong the evidence is, from 1A (strongest) to 4.

ADRB2 rs1042713: Level 3. Efficacy: Asthma. 3.

ARG1 rs2781659: Level 3. Efficacy: Asthma. 1.

CRHR2 rs2267715: Level 3. Efficacy: Asthma. 1.

VDR rs1540339: Level 3. Efficacy: Asthma. 1.

Response (11 findings)

Studies of how well it worked in people carrying a variant.

ADAM33 rs2853209: Genotype AA is associated with decreased clinical benefit to corticosteroids and selective beta-2-adrenoreceptor agonists in people with Asthma as compared to genotype TT.

ADRB2 rs1042713: Allele A is associated with decreased response to corticosteroids and selective beta-2-adrenoreceptor agonists in children with Asthma as compared to genotype GG.

ARG1 rs2781659: Allele A is associated with increased response to selective beta-2-adrenoreceptor agonists in people with Asthma as compared to allele G.

CRHR2 rs7793837: Allele T is associated with decreased response to salbutamol and selective beta-2-adrenoreceptor agonists in people with Asthma as compared to allele A.

Study findings and evidence levels: PharmGKB (CC BY-SA 4.0). Guidelines: CPIC and DPWG, as bundled in PharmCAT. Most studies were done mainly in people of European ancestry.

Related Drugs

More drugs from the same category

Berotec (Beta-2 Agonists)

Brethine (Beta-2 Agonists)

Foradil (Beta-2 Agonists)

Not a prescribing recommendation. This page is educational information about pharmacogenomic research and clinical guidelines - it is not medical or dosing advice, and not a prediction of how any medication will work for you. Never start, stop, or change a medication or dose based on it; talk to your doctor or pharmacist, who can order clinical-grade testing if appropriate.

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Content updated September 2026.

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