Salbutamol (INN) or albuterol (USAN) is a short-acting ?₂-adrenergic receptor agonist used for the relief of bronchospasm in conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It is marketed by GlaxoSmithKline as Ventolin or Ventorlin depending on the market; by Cipla as Asthalin; by Schering-Plough as Proventil and by Teva as ProAir. Many other generic trade names also exist.

Salbutamol sulfate is usually given by the inhaled route for direct effect on bronchial smooth muscle. This is usually achieved through a metered dose inhaler (MDI), nebuliser or other proprietary delivery devices (e.g. Rotahaler or Autohaler). In these forms of delivery, the maximal effect of Salbutamol can take place within five to twenty minutes of dosing, though some relief is immediately seen. Salbutamol can also be given orally as an inhalant or intravenously. However, some asthmatics do not have the required DNA base sequence in a specific gene and may not respond to these medications.

Salbutamol became available in the United Kingdom in 1969 and in the United States in 1980 under the trade name Ventolin.

Clinical use

Salbutamol is specifically indicated in the following conditions:

• Acute asthma
• Symptom relief during maintenance therapy of asthma and other conditions with reversible airways obstruction (including COPD and bronchitis)
• Protection against exercise-induced asthma
• Can induce Hypokalemia, especially in patients with renal failure
• Can be aerosolized with a nebulizer for patients with cystic fibrosis, along with ipratropium bromide and pulmozyme.

As a ?₂-agonist, salbutamol also finds use in obstetrics. Intravenous salbutamol can be used as a tocolytic to relax the uterine smooth muscle to delay premature labour. While preferred over agents such as atosiban and ritodrine, its role has largely been replaced by the calcium-channel blocker nifedipine which is more effective, better tolerated and orally administered.^[1]

Side Effects / Health Consequences

• Tachycardia (rapid heart rate)
• Shakiness, nervousness
• Hyperkinesis
• Insomnia
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Reactive bronchospasm
• Drowsiness
• Aggression
• Agitation
• Allergic reaction
• Anxiety
• Back Pain
• Excitement
• Fluid Retention and Swelling
• Flushing
• General Bodily Discomfort
• Headache
• Heart Palpitations
• Heartburn
• Hives
• Hyperactivity
• Hypertension
• Increased Appetite
• Increased Difficulty Breathing
• Indigestion
• Insomnia, especially in children
• Irritability
• Lightheadedness
• Muscle Cramps
• Muscle tremor
• Nasal Inflammation
• Nervousness
• Nightmares
• Nosebleed
• Rash
• Throat irritation
• Tooth Discoloration
• Tremors
• Unusual Taste
• Urinary Problems
• Weakness
• Wheezing
• Xerostomia (dry mouth)

Ban of CFC-containing albuterol inhalers

Ventolin HFA inhaler made by GSK

Asthalin HFA inhaler made by Cipla (India)

One drawback of this transition to HFA inhalers is that due to patent restrictions all of the HFA albuterol inhalers are "brand-name" (ProAir, Proventil, and Ventolin). They cost approximately $20 more per inhaler than existing generic CFC albuterol inhalers.

Generic HFA albuterol inhalers are not expected on the United States market until 2017 due to existing patents, although some pharmaceutical companies will offer discounts for those who cannot afford the HFA inhalers.

Another drawback that is coming to light now as the use of HFA/HFA+ethanol inhalers is expanding seems to be a far higher intolerance of the new inhalers compared to CFC propellant in patients. Registered complaints run the gamut from "doesn't seem to work as well" all the way to serious anaphylaxis in response to using an HFA or HFA+ethanol inhaler.^[2]

Albuterol is widely used, and accounts for anywhere from 78% of all bronchodilator prescriptions in 2005 to 85% in 2008. ^[3] However, patients in the United States who cannot tolerate the HFA albuterol inhalers will not have a single albuterol alternative available to them domestically after December 31, 2008.^[4] The FDA did not approve any alternatives to HFA and there are few standard inhaled lung medications in the United States that come in Dry Powder Inhaler (DPI) versions. Noticeably missing is albuterol in DPI form in the United States, although it is available in most of the rest of the world in salbutamol DPIs.

The benefits of transitioning to HFA inhalers include (1) increased drug deposition in the distal airways, (2) more consistent drug delivery from nearly empty canisters, and (3) more consistent drug delivery at a greater range of canister temperatures. It should be noted that the spray force of HFA inhalers is less than that of CFC inhalers, which may mislead some patients to believe that they may not be receiving enough albuterol when in fact they are seeing the benefits as outlined above.

Diet and bodybuilding use

Salbutamol is taken by some as an alternative to Clenbuterol for purposes of fat burning.^[5]

References

Additional notes

6. S

External links

• Albuterol
• Volmax Drug Information
• Side Effects

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