Yashoda Hospitals > Medicine FAQS > Salbutamol

Salbutamol: Frequently Asked Questions Answered

What Is Salbutamol?

Salbutamol is a ‘bronchodilator’ category drug. It assists in breathing by relaxing the respiratory muscles in the lungs and expanding the airways (bronchi). Salbutamol is helpful in the treatment of respiratory diseases such as asthma, COPD, and chronic bronchitis. It also helps with shortness of breath caused by constricted airways or bronchus.

Patients suffering from severe asthma, cardiac difficulties, diabetes, an overactive thyroid gland, high blood pressure, pulmonary infection, arrhythmias, or low potassium levels in their blood should take salbutamol with caution.

What are the uses of salbutamol?

  • Acute Asthma: Salbutamol can prevent or treat acute asthma episodes indicated by abrupt and severe breathing difficulty. It also helps in reversing airway blockage caused by bronchospasm.
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): Salbutamol prevents and treats the symptoms of lung disorders that cause airflow obstruction and make breathing difficult.
  • Preterm labor: In instances when the risk of premature birth is very high, this medication is also used to prevent and postpone the delivery.

There are various other uses of this drug that are not listed here.

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    What are the side effects of salbutamol?

    • Unusual swelling of the body parts such as face, lips, eyelids, tongue, hands, and feet.
    • Mild to severe headache
    • Cramps in the muscle and pain
    • Shaky arms and feet
    • Abnormal heartbeat
    • The appearance of skin rashes
    • Recurring state of agitation and anxiety
    • Coughing
    • Persistent trouble in breathing
    • Irregularity in sleep
    • Difficult while urination

    The majority of these side effects do not require medical treatment and will go away with time. However, if the adverse effects do not go away, consult your doctor.

    What is Salbutamol

    Uses of Salbutamol

    Side effects of Salbutamol

    References

    Disclaimer: The information provided herein is accurate, updated and complete as per the best practices of the Company. Please note that this information should not be treated as a replacement for physical medical consultation or advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy and the completeness of the information so provided. The absence of any information and/or warning to any drug shall not be considered and assumed as an implied assurance of the Company. We do not take any responsibility for the consequences arising out of the aforementioned information and strongly recommend you for a physical consultation in case of any queries or doubts.

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    Frequently Asked Questions about Salbutamol

    No, salbutamol is not a Steroid. The steroid-based inhalers are called corticosteroids. Those are preventative inhalers that work continuously to reduce inflammation of the airways. During the treatment of asthma, a salbutamol inhaler is combined with a steroid inhaler to control inflammation. Because these two inhalers work in distinct ways, the combination treatment is significantly more successful.

    Salbutamol has a significant effect on the respiratory tract by relaxing bronchial smooth muscle. Within 5 to 15 minutes of inhaling salbutamol, you may notice a substantial reduction in airway resistance. The major shift in pulmonary function occurs 60 to 90 minutes after dosing with salbutamol.

    Salbutamol is generally not prescribed to people suffering from a generic cough. But, it is used to treat coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and other symptoms of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

    Salbutamol is a beta-2 adrenoceptor agonist used to relieve asthmatic symptoms. The activation of beta-2 adrenoceptors in the airways aids Bronchodilation, decreases airway secretion, and mucociliary clearance. As a result, agonists of the beta-2 adrenoceptor are used to treat asthma symptoms. Beta-1 adrenoceptor activation, on the other hand, produces both ionotropic and chronotropic actions in the heart, leading to Tachycardia symptoms.

    Ventolin is nothing but the branded name for salbutamol. Each inhaler has nearly the same amount of medicine, with a capacity of 200 sprays and 100 micrograms of salbutamol. So the real distinction is that salbutamol is a generic version of Ventolin-which is a branded medicine.

    Use salbutamol precisely as directed. The dose type, frequency, and period of uptake suggested are particular to your needs. This drug should not be used in higher or fewer amounts or for longer than prescribed. If you don't see any changes in your symptoms after using it, consult with your doctor.

    Yes, to ensure that the medicine is thoroughly absorbed before food enters the stomach, take it on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before eating. And if you have had your meal, wait for at least 2 hours before taking medicine for the best results.

    No, salbutamol doesn't generally cause drowsiness, but it can have other side effects. On the contrary, a high dose of salbutamol can induce insomnia in some patients making it harder to fall asleep.

    Salbutamol starts working immediately after consumption. If taken orally, the medication effect will last around 4-6 hours, and if consumed through nebulization/oral inhalation, it will last about 3-4 hours.

    Use salbutamol only when necessary. It might be when you start to feel symptoms like coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, or chest tightness, or when you know that you'll be doing anything that will make you breathless, like climbing stairs or participating in sports.