Molecular structure of salbutamol
Find information on thousands of medical conditions and prescription drugs.

Airomir

Salbutamol (INN) or albuterol (USAN) is a short-acting β2-adrenergic receptor agonist used for the relief of bronchospasm in conditions such as asthma and COPD. The name Albuterol comes from Salbutamol aerosol. more...

Home
Diseases
Medicines
A
8-Hour Bayer
Abacavir
Abamectin
Abarelix
Abciximab
Abelcet
Abilify
Abreva
Acamprosate
Acarbose
Accolate
Accoleit
Accupril
Accurbron
Accure
Accuretic
Accutane
Acebutolol
Aceclidine
Acepromazine
Acesulfame
Acetaminophen
Acetazolamide
Acetohexamide
Acetohexamide
Acetylcholine chloride
Acetylcysteine
Acetyldigitoxin
Aciclovir
Acihexal
Acilac
Aciphex
Acitretin
Actifed
Actigall
Actiq
Actisite
Actonel
Actos
Acular
Acyclovir
Adalat
Adapalene
Adderall
Adefovir
Adrafinil
Adriamycin
Adriamycin
Advicor
Advil
Aerobid
Aerolate
Afrinol
Aggrenox
Agomelatine
Agrylin
Airomir
Alanine
Alavert
Albendazole
Alcaine
Alclometasone
Aldomet
Aldosterone
Alesse
Aleve
Alfenta
Alfentanil
Alfuzosin
Alimta
Alkeran
Alkeran
Allegra
Allopurinol
Alora
Alosetron
Alpidem
Alprazolam
Altace
Alteplase
Alvircept sudotox
Amantadine
Amaryl
Ambien
Ambisome
Amfetamine
Amicar
Amifostine
Amikacin
Amiloride
Amineptine
Aminocaproic acid
Aminoglutethimide
Aminophenazone
Aminophylline
Amiodarone
Amisulpride
Amitraz
Amitriptyline
Amlodipine
Amobarbital
Amohexal
Amoxapine
Amoxicillin
Amoxil
Amphetamine
Amphotec
Amphotericin B
Ampicillin
Anafranil
Anagrelide
Anakinra
Anaprox
Anastrozole
Ancef
Android
Anexsia
Aniracetam
Antabuse
Antitussive
Antivert
Apidra
Apresoline
Aquaphyllin
Aquaphyllin
Aranesp
Aranesp
Arava
Arestin
Arestin
Argatroban
Argatroban
Argatroban
Argatroban
Arginine
Arginine
Aricept
Aricept
Arimidex
Arimidex
Aripiprazole
Aripiprazole
Arixtra
Arixtra
Artane
Artane
Artemether
Artemether
Artemisinin
Artemisinin
Artesunate
Artesunate
Arthrotec
Arthrotec
Asacol
Ascorbic acid
Asmalix
Aspartame
Aspartic acid
Aspirin
Astemizole
Atacand
Atarax
Atehexal
Atenolol
Ativan
Atorvastatin
Atosiban
Atovaquone
Atridox
Atropine
Atrovent
Augmentin
Aureomycin
Avandia
Avapro
Avinza
Avizafone
Avobenzone
Avodart
Axid
Axotal
Azacitidine
Azahexal
Azathioprine
Azelaic acid
Azimilide
Azithromycin
Azlocillin
Azmacort
Aztreonam
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z

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) or nebuliser; but other delivery devices marketed for salbutamol sulfate include the Rotahaler, Easyhaler, Diskhaler, and Autohaler. Salbutamol can also be given orally (Volmax®) or intravenously.

Salbutamol became available in the United Kingdom in 1969 and in the United States in 1980 under the brand 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
  • certain conditions involving hyperkalemia

As a β2-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. (Rossi, 2004)

Mode of action

As with other β2-adrenergic receptor agonists, salbutamol binds to β2-adrenergic receptors with a higher affinity than β1-receptors. In the airways, activation of β2-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 β2-receptors results in relaxation of uterine smooth muscle, thus delaying labour.

Adverse effects

Whilst 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. (Rossi, 2004)

Other brand names

Salbutamol is sold under the brand names Airomir, Asmol, Buventol, Proventil, Sultanol, Ventolin and Volmax.

Read more at Wikipedia.org


[List your site here Free!]


V I T A L S I G N S
From Independent, The (London), 4/4/95 by Cherrill Hicks

Wrinkle warning

Men who smoke are more than twice as likely to have facial wrinkles as non-smokers, while women smokers are more than three times as likely to be wrinkled as their non-smoking counterparts, according to a study published in the American Journal of Public Health. Wrinkling may be due to the drying action of smoke or damage to vascular and connective tissue, the study suggests.

CFC-free inhalers

The world's first chlorofluorocarbon-free asthma inhaler is now available on prescription. The inhaler, Airomir, replaces CFCs as a propellant with a substance which scientists say will not affect the ozone layer. Trials have shown that CFC-free inhalers are just as safe and effective as conventional ones, although for patients they will look, feel and taste different. For a factsheet, contact the National Asthma Campaign.

Ease of delivery

Queen Victoria was an early advocate of pain relief during labour, according to her letters unearthed in the archives at Windsor Castle.

The Queen, who had nine children, intensely disliked giving birth but her requests to be given chloroform during her sixth and seventh labours were turned down. She was finally allowed chloroform during her last two labours, describing its effect as "delightful beyond measure".

White coat myth

Children do not feel intimidated by the doctor's white coat despite the widespread belief that removing it puts them at ease, says a report in the Lancet. It argues that for children, as with adults, the white coat gives a doctor permission to make physical contact in a way that would otherwise be unacceptable.

Copyright 1995 Newspaper Publishing PLC
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.

Return to Airomir
Home Contact Resources Exchange Links ebay