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 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 Hypokalaemia, 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 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. While preferred over agents such as atosiban and ritodrine, its role has largely been replaced by the calcium-channel blocker nifedipine which is more effective, better tolerated and orally administered.Rossi S (Ed.) (2004). Australian Medicines Handbook 2004 (AMH). Adelaide: Australian Medicines Handbook. ISBN 0-9578521-4-2.

Side Effects / Health Consequences

• Tachycardia
• Tremors
• Shakiness, nervousness
• Hyperkinesis
• Headache
• Insomnia
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Reactive bronchospasm
• Drowsiness

Ban of CFC-containing albuterol inhalers