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Salbutamol

Generic Name
Salbutamol
Brand Names
Airomir, Airsupra, Combivent, Proair, Proventil, Ventolin
Drug Type
Small Molecule
Chemical Formula
C13H21NO3
CAS Number
18559-94-9
Unique Ingredient Identifier
QF8SVZ843E
Background

Salbutamol is a short-acting, selective beta2-adrenergic receptor agonist used in the treatment of asthma and COPD. It is 29 times more selective for beta2 receptors than beta1 receptors giving it higher specificity for pulmonary beta receptors versus beta1-adrenergic receptors located in the heart. Salbutamol is formulated as a racemic mixture of the R- and S-isomers. The R-isomer has 150 times greater affinity for the beta2-receptor than the S-isomer and the S-isomer has been associated with toxicity. This lead to the development of levalbuterol, the single R-isomer of salbutamol. However, the high cost of levalbuterol compared to salbutamol has deterred wide-spread use of this enantiomerically pure version of the drug. Salbutamol is generally used for acute episodes of bronchospasm caused by bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis and other chronic bronchopulmonary disorders such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD). It is also used prophylactically for exercise-induced asthma.

Indication

Salbutamol is indicated for (i) the symptomatic relief and prevention of bronchospasm due to bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, reversible obstructive airway disease, and other chronic bronchopulmonary disorders in which bronchospasm is a complicating factor, and/or (ii) the acute prophylaxis against exercise-induced bronchospasm and other stimuli known to induce bronchospasm.

Associated Conditions
Asthma, Asthmatic Bronchitis, Bronchial Asthma, Bronchoconstriction, Bronchospasm, Chronic Asthma, Chronic Bronchitis, Cough, Emphysema, Exacerbation of asthma, Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm, Hyperkalemia, Wheezing, Excess mucus or phlegm
Associated Therapies
Airway secretion clearance therapy, Bronchodilation
Clinical Trials
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