β-Adrenergic agonists

Group of non-hormonal growth promoters. Used to enhance growth rates and improve feed efficiency and lean meat content of animals; also used in veterinary medicine as bronchodilatory and tocolytic agents. In general, rapidly excreted from the body; non-authorized use during withdrawal period has resulted in cases of human food poisoning. Banned for use as growth-promoting agents in farm animals in many countries, including European Union member states and the USA. Commonly used examples are cimaterol, clenbuterol, rimiterol and terbutaline.