Salbutamol (also known as albuterol) is a bronchodilator used in the treatment of asthma. It belongs to the class of selective short-acting β2-adrenergic receptor agonists.
Salbutamol is available in pharmaceutical formulations suitable for inhalation, oral and parenteral administration.
Examples of medicinal specialties containing Salbutamol
- Broncovaleas ®
- Breva ®
- Naos ®
- Ventolin ®
Indications
For what it uses
Salbutamol - Chemical Structure
The use of salbutamol is indicated for the treatment of:
- Bronchial asthma;
- Obstructive bronchopathy with asthmatic component.
Warnings
Bronchodilator drugs, such as salbutamol, should not be used as the sole therapy in patients with severe or unstable asthma.
In patients suffering from the following pathologies, the use of salbutamol should be carried out only in cases of actual need:
- Hypertension;
- coronary heart disease;
- arrhythmias;
- Glaucoma;
- Hyperthyroidism;
- pheochromocytoma;
- Diabetes;
- Prostatic hypertrophy.
Salbutamol therapy for the treatment of an asthma exacerbation can cause lactic acidosis.
Salbutamol can cause paradoxical bronchospasm. Should this occur, treatment with the drug should be immediately discontinued and the doctor should be contacted immediately.
Salbutamol administered parenterally is also endowed with tocolytic activity, ie it is able to inhibit uterine contractions.
Interactions
Normally, the concomitant administration of selective β2-agonist drugs (such as salbutamol) and non-selective β-blocking drugs (such as propranolol used in the treatment of hypertension) should not be performed.
However, it is necessary to inform your doctor if you are taking - or have recently been taken - drugs of any kind, including non-prescription medicines and herbal and / or homeopathic products.
Side effects
Salbutamol can cause different types of adverse effects, although not all patients experience them. This depends on the sensitivity of each individual towards the drug. Therefore, it is not said that the undesired effects are manifested all and with the same intensity in each person.
The following are the main side effects that may occur during treatment with salbutamol.
Allergic reactions
Salbutamol - like any other drug - can trigger allergic reactions, even serious ones, in sensitive individuals. These reactions can occur in the form of:
- Angioedema;
- bronchospasm;
- Urticaria;
- Hypertension;
- Collapse.
Nervous system disorders
Salbutamol therapy can cause headaches, tremor and hyperactivity.
Cardiovascular disorders
Treatment with salbutamol may promote the onset of:
- Peripheral vasodilation;
- Palpitations;
- Atrial fibrillation;
- Supraventricular tachycardia;
- extrasystole;
- Myocardial ischemia.
Other side effects
Other side effects that may occur during salbutamol therapy are:
- Paradoxical bronchospasm;
- Irritations to the mouth and throat;
- Hypokalemia (ie the decrease in blood levels of potassium);
- Muscle cramps;
- Muscular tension.
Overdose
The symptoms that can appear in case of salbutamol overdose are:
- Tremors;
- agitation;
- Tachycardia;
- Restlessness;
- Hypokalemia;
- Hyperglycemia;
- Metabolic acidosis;
- Nausea and vomit.
The specific antidote in the case of salbutamol overdosage is constituted by β-blocker drugs which must in any case be administered with extreme caution, since they can cause bronchospasm in sensitive subjects.
In any case, if you suspect you have taken an excessive dose of salbutamol, you must contact your doctor immediately and go immediately to the nearest hospital.
Action mechanism
Salbutamol is a selective agonist of β2-adrenergic receptors present at the level of the smooth muscles of the bronchi and lungs and, as such, has a bronchodilator-like action.
More in detail, when salbutamol binds to the aforementioned receptors, it is able to reduce the bioavailability of calcium ions (responsible for bronchoconstriction), favoring a decrease in its concentration in bronchial smooth muscle cells.
By doing so, salbutamol is able to induce bronchodilation.
The salbutamol has a short duration action (about 4-6 hours), but of rapid onset; in fact, it is able to carry out its activity in less than thirty minutes.
Method of use and dosage
Salbutamol is available for:
- Administration by inhalation in the form of a pressurized suspension for inhalation and a solution or powder to be sprayed;
- Oral administration in the form of tablets, syrup and effervescent tablets;
- Intramuscular and intravenous administration as an injectable solution.
During the treatment with salbutamol it is essential to scrupulously follow the indications provided by the doctor - both as regards the amount of drug to be used, both as regards the frequency of administration and the duration of the therapy itself - so as to avoid the onset of dangerous side effects.
Administration by inhalation
The amount of salbutamol to be taken must be decided by the doctor on an individual basis, depending on the severity of the disease to be treated and according to the age and body weight of each patient.
Oral administration
Regardless of the use of syrup or salbutamol-based tablets, in adults, the dose of medication usually administered orally is 2-4 mg twice a day.
In children 3 to 6 years of age, the usual dose of medication is 1-2 mg twice a day.
In children from 6 to 12 years of age, on the other hand, the usual salbutamol dose is 2 mg twice a day.
Intravenous administration
In adults, the dose of salbutamol usually administered intravenously is 4 micrograms / kg of body weight. If necessary, the administration of this dose can be repeated.
The use of intravenous salbutamol in children is not recommended.
Intramuscular administration
When administered intramuscularly, the salbutamol dose usually used in adults is 8 micrograms / kg of body weight. If necessary the administration can be repeated every four hours.
In children, the use of salbutamol intramuscularly is not recommended.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Generally, the use of salbutamol in pregnant women and breast-feeding mothers is not recommended, except when the doctor does not believe that the potential benefits expected for the mother outweigh the potential risks to the fetus or the child.
In any case, before taking any type of medicine, this category of patients should always seek the advice of the doctor.
Contraindications
The use of salbutamol is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to salbutamol itself.
