Albuterol
Albuterol is a short-acting adrenergic beta-agonist, widely used in the immediate treatment of symptomatic asthma and other respiratory diseases. It is a "racemic mixture with a 1:1 ratio of the r-isomer, levalbuterol, and s-albuterol, with the chemical name 2-t-Butylamino-1-(4-hydroxy-3-hydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl)phenylethanol. [1]
While most often administered through the respiratory tract using a metered dose inhaler or nebulizer, it also can be given orally.
Uses
Approved indications for the inhaled form include:[2]
- Acute Asthma Attack
- Asthma Prevention
- Bronchitis
- Bronchospasm Prevention
- Bronchospastic Pulmonary Disease
- Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm Prevention
- Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
- Pulmonary Emphysema
Off-label uses include: hyperkalemia, familial hyperkalemic periodic paralysis, and respiratory distress in neonates.
Drug comparisons
While it is considered short-acting, its duration of action is longer isoproterenol, is less likely to cause cardiac effects, and as at least as effective as a bronchodilator. [3]
References
- ↑ Anonymous (2024), Albuterol (English). Medical Subject Headings. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
- ↑ "Albuterol Inh[aled]", Medscape Drug Information
- ↑ "Monograph: Albuterol", Medscape Drug Information