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 COPD.
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
effect of Salbutamol can take place within 5 to 20 minutes of dosing.
Salbutamol can also be given orally or intravenously. However, some
asthmatics may not respond to these medications as they will
not have the required DNA base sequence in a specific gene.

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)
* protection against exercise-induced asthma
* hyperkalemia, especially in patients with renal failure
* can be aerosolized 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. Whilst 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atosiban and ritodrine, its role has largely been replaced by the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]
Mode of action
As with other 2-adrenergic receptor agonists, salbutamol binds to 2adrenergic receptors with a higher affinity than 1-receptors. In the
airway, activation of 2-receptors results in relaxation of bronchial
smooth muscle resulting in a widening of the airway (bronchodilation).
Inhaled salbutamol sulfate has a rapid onset of action,
providing relief within 5-15 minutes of administration.
In tocolysis, the activation of 2-receptors results in relaxation of
uterine smooth muscle, thus delaying labour.
Adverse effects
While salbutamol is well-tolerated, particularly when compared with
previous therapies such as theophylline, like all medications there
exists the potential for adverse drug reactions to occur - especially
when in high doses, or when taken orally or intravenously.
Common adverse effects include: tremor, palpitations and headache.
(Rossi, 2004)
Infrequent adverse effects include: tachycardia, muscle cramps,
agitation, hypokalemia, hyperactivity in children, and insomnia. [1]
The (S) isomer of salbutamol can inhibit the anti-inflammatory effect of
steroids prescribed to treat asthma. However, the (R) isomer
stimulates the steroid's effect and the overall effect of the two isomers

is unclear[2].
Other brand names
Salbutamol is sold under the brand names Airomir, Asthalin, Asmol,
Buventol, Proventil, Salamol, Sultanol, Ventolin, Volmax, and Xopenex.
References
1. ^ a b Rossi S (Ed.) (2004). Australian Medicines Handbook 2004
(AMH). Adelaide: Australian Medicines Handbook. ISBN 0-9578521-4-2.
2. ^ A BBC Scare Story by Blacktriangle.
I love to pump crack, love to stay strapped.
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