Description

Salbutamol is a selective β2-adrenoceptor agonist. At therapeutic doses, it acts on the β2-adrenoceptors of bronchial smooth muscle, with little or no action on the β1-adrenoceptors of cardiac muscle. Salbutamol provides short-acting (4-6 hours) bronchodilatation with a fast onset (within 5 minutes) in reversible airway obstruction. It also has an anti-inflammatory effect on mast cells causing inhibition of release of bronchoconstrictor mediators including histamine, neutrophil chemotactive factor (NCF) and prostaglandin D2.

Bronchospasm: Salbutamol Inhaler is indicated for the treatment or prevention of bronchospasm in bronchial asthma and for the treatment of reversible airway obstruction associated with bronchitis and emphysema. Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm: Salbutamol Inhaler may be used to relieve attacks of acute dyspnoea and may also be taken prophylactically before exertion or to prevent exercise-induced asthma

Salbutamol and non-selective beta-blocking drugs such as propranolol should generally not be prescribed together. Potentially serious hypokalaemia may result from β2-agonist therapy. Particular caution is advised in acute severe asthma as this effect may be potentiated by concomitant treatment with xanthine derivatives, steroids, diuretics, and by hypoxia. It is recommended that serum potassium levels are monitored in such situations.

Salbutamol inhaler is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to salbutamol or any other components of Salbutamol inhaler.

Salbutamol is generally well tolerated. Few side effects have been observed during inhalation. There are tremors, anxiety, muscle cramps, headache, palpitation, a compensatory small increase in heart rate, cardiac arrhythmias (including atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia and extrasystoles), tachycardia may occur in some patients. Mouth and throat irritation may occur with inhaled salbutamol

Pregnancy Category C. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of Salbutamol inhaler or salbutamol sulfate in pregnant women. This inhaler should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. It is not known whether the components of Salbutamol inhaler are excreted in human milk. Caution should be exercised when this inhaler is administered to a nursing woman.