{
  "id": "salbutamol",
  "title": "Salbutamol",
  "lang": "en",
  "source_lang": "en",
  "summary": "Salbutamol, known as albuterol in the United States, is a short-acting bronchodilator used to relieve and prevent bronchospasm.",
  "category": "health",
  "subcategory": "drugs",
  "type": "concept",
  "aliases": [
    "Albuterol"
  ],
  "generated_at": "2026-10-13",
  "model": "pro/gpt-6.1-sol",
  "url": "https://aiwiki.page/en/salbutamol/",
  "translations": {
    "zh-Hans": {
      "url": "https://aiwiki.page/zh/salbutamol/",
      "json": "https://aiwiki.page/zh/salbutamol.json"
    }
  },
  "sections": [
    {
      "heading": "",
      "text": "Salbutamol is a short-acting \\(\\beta_2\\)-adrenergic receptor agonist (SABA) used to relieve or prevent bronchospasm, the narrowing of airways caused by contraction of their smooth muscle. It is commonly administered by inhalation in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Albuterol is its generic name in the United States; salbutamol is the internationally recommended name. These names refer to the same drug, rather than different medicines. (dailymed.nlm.nih.gov)"
    },
    {
      "heading": "Mechanism of action",
      "text": "Salbutamol activates \\(\\beta_2\\)-adrenergic receptors on airway smooth muscle. This stimulates the enzyme adenylyl cyclase and increases intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). Subsequent activation of protein kinase A reduces processes involved in muscle contraction, including myosin phosphorylation and intracellular calcium availability. The resulting smooth-muscle relaxation widens the airways and reduces obstruction caused by bronchospasm. (dailymed.nlm.nih.gov)\n\nIts receptor selectivity is relative, not absolute: inhaled salbutamol can also produce cardiovascular effects. For inhaled Ventolin formulations, the product information describes an onset within approximately five minutes and bronchodilation lasting about four to six hours. (dailymed.nlm.nih.gov)"
    },
    {
      "heading": "Clinical uses and limitations",
      "text": "Salbutamol is used for rapid relief of bronchospasm in reversible obstructive airway disease and for prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm. Inhaled preparations are often called reliever or rescue medicines because their principal function is to relieve airway narrowing quickly. They can improve symptoms such as wheezing and shortness of breath when these arise from bronchospasm. (dailymed.nlm.nih.gov)\n\nSalbutamol does not replace treatment directed at the underlying airway inflammation in asthma. The Global Initiative for Asthma’s 2025 guidance states that adults, adolescents, and children aged 6–11 years should not receive SABA-only asthma treatment; their treatment should include an inhaled corticosteroid. This distinction separates rapid symptom relief from reduction of the inflammatory processes and exacerbation risk associated with asthma. (ginasthma.org)\n\nA need for more salbutamol than previously required can be a marker of deteriorating asthma control. Product labeling also warns that excessive use can cause serious harm. Thus, immediate relief after inhalation does not by itself establish that the underlying disease is adequately controlled. (dailymed.nlm.nih.gov)"
    },
    {
      "heading": "Formulations and delivery",
      "text": "Salbutamol inhalation products include pressurized metered-dose inhalers, dry-powder inhalers, and solutions delivered through a nebulizer, which converts liquid medicine into an inhalable mist. Delivery devices differ in their operating requirements, and inhaler technique affects how much medicine reaches the lungs. (nhs.uk)\n\nMany preparations contain salbutamol sulfate. The quantity of sulfate salt is not identical to the quantity of salbutamol base: one United States aerosol formulation delivers 108 micrograms of albuterol sulfate from the mouthpiece, equivalent to 90 micrograms of albuterol base. Product strengths therefore depend on both the chemical form and the stated point of dose measurement. (dailymed.nlm.nih.gov)\n\nApproved ages and other conditions of use are formulation-specific. For example, several United States metered-dose aerosol labels authorize treatment or prevention of bronchospasm in patients aged four years and older; this is not a universal age limit for every salbutamol preparation. (dailymed.nlm.nih.gov)"
    },
    {
      "heading": "Adverse effects and interactions",
      "text": "Recognized adverse effects include tremor, a faster heartbeat, and headache. Important potential reactions include cardiovascular effects, reduced blood potassium, and immediate hypersensitivity. Inhalation can also rarely cause paradoxical bronchospasm, in which airway narrowing worsens rather than improves after administration. (nhs.uk)\n\nSalbutamol can interact with other medicines. Beta-blockers may reduce its bronchodilator effect and provoke bronchospasm; non-potassium-sparing diuretics may increase the risk of low potassium or electrocardiographic changes. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants can enhance its cardiovascular effects, while reductions in serum digoxin concentrations have also been reported. (dailymed.nlm.nih.gov)"
    }
  ],
  "links": [
    "asthma",
    "enzyme",
    "shortness-of-breath",
    "inflammation",
    "corticosteroid",
    "headache"
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "title": "DailyMed — Albuterol Sulfate Inhalant",
      "url": "https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=081b7bbb-6692-4512-b135-863b73bf30a5"
    },
    {
      "title": "About salbutamol inhalers — NHS",
      "url": "https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/salbutamol-inhaler/about-salbutamol-inhalers/"
    },
    {
      "title": "DailyMed — Albuterol Sulfate Aerosol, Metered",
      "url": "https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=9d434eb2-93a6-4a44-bb41-03517f8bbb68"
    },
    {
      "title": "Ventolin Evohaler 100 micrograms — Summary of Product Characteristics",
      "url": "https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/850/smpc"
    },
    {
      "title": "DailyMed — Albuterol Sulfate HFA",
      "url": "https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=825975b1-a4a9-78ca-e053-2a91aa0a3948"
    },
    {
      "title": "How and when to use salbutamol inhalers — NHS",
      "url": "https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/salbutamol-inhaler/how-and-when-to-use-salbutamol-inhalers/"
    },
    {
      "title": "Side effects of salbutamol inhalers — NHS",
      "url": "https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/salbutamol-inhaler/side-effects-of-salbutamol-inhalers/"
    },
    {
      "title": "Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol — Prescribing Information",
      "url": "https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/getFile.cfm?setid=489201d2-9ed0-419b-81dc-a7f7f86b59ed"
    }
  ],
  "license": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"
}