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.

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:

• Acute asthma attack
• Asthma prevention
• Bronchitis
• Bronchospasm revention
• Bronchospastic pulmonary disease
• Exercise-induced asthma
• obstructive pulmonary disease
• 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.