What Does Albuterol (Salbutamol) Treat?
Albuterol (Salbutamol) is a bronchodilator drug. The drug is also known by the brand name Ventolin. It is used to relieve and prevent attacks of bronchial asthma. In therapeutic doses it acts mainly on the β2-adrenoreceptors of the bronchi, thus having a significant bronchodilator effect.
Adrenergic agonist means that Salbutamol is stimulating the sympathetic nervous system. Adrenergic represents the sympathetic nervous system and agonist represents a stimulating response when binding to a receptor.
Salbutamol stimulates the sympathetic nervous system by binding to the same receptor sites as epinephrine and norepinephrine, which are the main neurotransmitters in this nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system is also known as the “fight or flight nervous system’ and is responsible for actions like bronchodilation, an increased heart rate and blood pressure. It also decreases the activity of our digestive system and our bodies’ normal resting functions.
Specifically, Salbutamol is a selective beta-2 agonist, meaning it stimulates the beta receptor effects, mainly causing bronchodilation.
Salbutamol is most often prescribed via the inhalation route, but also comes in the form of oral tablets and nebulizer solutions.
The drug is used for symptomatic relief of acute asthma attacks, which may be exercise-induced, allergen-induced, or from other causes. It is also used for the prevention of bronchospasm in asthma, chronic bronchitis, and other disorders which may cause bronchospasm.
Can I Get Ventolin (Albuterol) Over The Counter?
Albuterol is a prescription-only medication. That is why you can’t buy Ventolin over the counter in the US or Canada. Of course, you can try ordering the Albuterol online. However, it is not safe because you can get a drug of poor quality.
How Much Does Albuterol (Ventolin) Cost?
Albuterol (2.5mg) costs around $15-18 depending on where you are going to buy it.
Can I Buy Albuterol Online?
Both generic Albuterol and brand Ventolin are available only by prescription in the US. That is why it is impossible to legally buy Albuterol online or over the counter in your local drugstore.
How Does Albuterol Differ from Ventolin?
Salbutamol, Albuterol, and Ventolin are all names of the same drugs. The only difference is that Albuterol is the brand name. And Salbutamol and Albuterol are cheaper generics of the drug.
How Many Times Should I Inhale Salbutamol?
Doctors usually recommend using 2 inhalations 4 times a day. The total daily dose of salbutamol should not exceed 800 mcg (8 inhalations). Children over 12 years old should use doses similar to those for adults. One inhalation is used to relieve acute bronchospasm.
Can I Use Ventolin For Bronchitis?
The drug works quickly, so it is used to relieve attacks of bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, as well as chronic bronchitis.
How Do I Inhale Salbutamol?
Taking the deepest possible breath in through your mouth, simultaneously press the top of the inhaler to release one inhaled dose of Salbutamol. Hold your breath for a few seconds, take the mouthpiece out of your mouth, then slowly exhale.
How Quickly Does Ventolin Act?
Salbutamol is a fast-acting substance. You will experience its action in around 5 minutes.
Can I Use Albuterol In Case Of Severe Coughing?
The safety of Albuterol allows its wide use in outpatient practice, especially in patients with cough. The use of salbutamol, as a rule, contributes to a significant reduction of symptoms and improvement of the general health condition.
Why Rinse Your Mouth After Your Inhaler?
Firstly, the medicine only enters the respiratory tract by inhalation, which means you need to press the vial and inhale the dose at the same time. Second, the active ingredient can cause adverse reactions. That is why you should rinse your mouth thoroughly after inhalation.
Can I Buy Albuterol Without a Prescription?
The drug is used for bronchial asthma (to stop and prevent attacks) and for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic bronchitis. You can buy Albuterol (Ventolin) in the US only if you have a valid medical prescription.
Onset
Salbutamol is a short-acting bronchodilator, which is sometimes referred to as a rescue inhaler due to its quick onset of about five to 15 minutes. This makes it a priority for the treatment of asthma attacks.
Side Effects
Some common side effects of salbutamol are tremors, headache, anxiety or nervousness, and dry mouth. Less common side effects include tachycardia, arrhythmias, hyper or hypertension, and paradoxical bronchospasms, which is the rapid onset of bronchial spasms shortly after administration of an inhalant.
Paradoxical bronchospasm can be life-threatening and may occur with excessive use of salbutamol.
Precautions
Use Salbutamol cautiously in patients with heart disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, glaucoma, and seizure disorders.
Considerations
Always remember to assess and monitor for side effects of Salbutamol. Watch for changes in heart rate like tachycardia and arrhythmias.
To decrease dry mouth and changes in taste, it’s important to teach patients about rinsing their mouth after each use.
During an asthma attack, always use a bronchodilator first like Salbutamol, to open the airway quickly. If available and necessary, a corticosteroid inhaler should be used after the bronchodilator to increase the effectiveness of the corticosteroid and decrease inflammation.
An easy way to remember this is B before C, which stands for bronchodilator before corticosteroid.
If a patient is going home with Salbutamol, always ensure they understand how to properly administer their inhaler by getting them to perform a return demonstration.
A good general rule for inhalers is to inhale for 3 seconds, hold for 10 seconds and exhale slowly through the nose. Be sure to understand the importance of following the order dosages, reporting to a health care provider if symptoms do not improve after use, and not overmedicating on Salbutamol.