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Salbutamol

Generic name: salbutamol
Brand names: Ventolin, Airomir, Asthalin, Asmatol, Azmasol, ... show all 8 brands
Dosage form: metered-dose aerosol inhalation (inhaler), inhalation powder (dry powder inhaler), solution for inhalation, oral syrup, oral tablet, intravenous (infusion) injection, intravenous (bolus) injection, subcutaneous injection, intramuscular injection

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Apr 4, 2023.

What is salbutamol?

Salbutamol (albuterol) is a medication used to relax and open up your airways. It is used to relieve wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and breathlessness in people with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Salbutamol is a fast-acting bronchodilator and reliever medication. It belongs to a class of medications known as short-acting beta-2 adrenergic agonist. Salbutamol works by stimulating the beta-2 adrenoceptors in your bronchial muscles, which are the smooth muscles lining the two large tubes (bronchi) that carry air from your windpipe (trachea) to your lungs. This causes your bronchi to relax and dilate, widening your airway for a short period of about 4 to 6 hours and making it easier for you to breathe. It can also act on beta-2 adrenoceptors in your uterus (womb).

Branded and generic formulations of salbutamol are available worldwide. In many countries this medication is known by the generic name salbutamol, which is the generic name assigned using the International Nonproprietary Name (INN) system. In the US, however, salbutamol is known by the name albuterol (ProAir, Ventolin), which is the generic name assigned using the United States Adopted Names (USAN) system. Usually the INN and USAN names for a drug are the same.

Salbutamol became available in the UK in the late 1960s and in the US in the 1980s. Salbutamol and albuterol are both marketed under the brand name Ventolin.

What is salbutamol used for?

Salbutamol is used to relieve the symptoms of asthma or bronchospasm. Salbutamol is used to relieve symptoms such as chest tightness, wheezing, shortness of breath and coughing in some other chest diseases too, such as COPD.

Salbutamol can also be used to prevent asthma symptoms which occur with exercise or on exposure to an allergen, such as cat or dog fur, pollen or house dust.

Salbutamol injection is also used for the management of uncomplicated premature labour between 22 and 37 weeks of pregnancy.

Important information

If your breathing suddenly becomes more difficult after using salbutamol, contact your healthcare provider immediately.

If you need to use this medication more frequently than usual, this can be a sign that your breathing condition is getting worse. Follow your treatment action plan or contact your healthcare provider for advice.

Who should not use salbutamol?

Do not use salbutamol if you are:

What should I tell my doctor before using salbutamol?

Before you take salbutamol, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

How should I use salbutamol?

What happens if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of salbutamol, take it as soon as you remember. If it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

What happens if I overdose?

If you take too much salbutamol, seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 straight away even if you do not feel unwell or have symptoms of an overdose. An overdose of salbutamol can be fatal.

Overdose symptoms may include dry mouth, tremors or feeling shaky, chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat, nausea, general ill feeling, seizure (convulsions), feeling light-headed or fainting.

Dosing information

The recommended dose of salbutamol depends on the age of the patient, condition being treated and the formulation being used.

A general guide to the recommended dosage is given below.

Asthma symptoms and bronchospasm

Severe bronchospasm and status asthmaticus

Preterm labor

See the full prescribing details for more information about salbutamol dosing.

What are the side effects of salbutamol?

Serious side effects of salbutamol include:

Tell your doctor if you have any of the following side effects which may also happen with this medicine:

Lactic acidosis has also been reported very rarely in patients receiving intravenous and nebulized salbutamol therapy for the treatment of acute asthma exacerbation.

Salbutamol injections and infusions have also uncommonly been associated with pulmonary edema.

These are not all of the possible side effects of salbutamol.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Interactions

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you are taking any of the medicines listed below:

Some general anaesthetics may interact with salbutamol to cause heart problems and decrease blood pressure. If you are having an operation, advise hospital staff that you are taking salbutamol.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or are planning to get pregnant. Your doctor will tell you whether or not you should take salbutamol during pregnancy.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding of planning to breastfeed. Salbutamol's use in people who are breastfeeding is not recommended unless the expected benefits outweigh any potential risk. It is not known whether salbutamol in breast milk has a harmful effect on the neonate.

Storage

What are the ingredients in salbutamol?

Active ingredient: salbutamol sulfate

Inactive ingredients:

Ventolin CFC-Free inhaler: non- CFC propellant HFA134a also known as norflurane or 1,1,1,2- tetrafluoroethane.

Ventolin Accuhaler (dry powder inhaler): lactose (contains milk protein).

Ventolin oral syrup: sodium citrate, citric acid monohydrate, hypromellose, sodium benzoate, saccharin sodium, sodium chloride, orange flavoring and water.

Ventolin tablets 2 mg and 4 mg: maize starch, lactose monohydrate, dispersed pink (erythrosine (E127), carmoisine (E122), titanium dioxide (E171)), sodium starch glycollate, talc, magnesium stearate.

Ventolin respirator solution: water, benzalkonium chloride and sulfuric acid.

Ventolin injection and solution for IV infusion: sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide, dilute sulphuric acid, water for injection.

Inactive ingredients may vary depending on the brand or generic version and formulation of salbutamol you take. Check the product label for the version you take for a full list of ingredients.

Salbutamol is manufactured under the brand name Ventolin by GlaxoSmithKline. Other companies also make branded and generic versions of Salbutamol.

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Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.