Salbutamol: Uses, How It Works, Medicines
Salbutamol is a quick-acting medicine that opens the airways. It is used as a reliever inhaler to ease wheezing, cough and breathlessness in asthma and some other long-term lung conditions. It is a prescription medicine in India. It does not treat the inflammation behind asthma, so it should not be the only treatment.
Also known as: Salbutamol sulphate, Albuterol, Salbutamol inhaler, Ventolin, Asthalin
Pharmacist review in progress. This page is based on the sources listed below and is being checked by our registered pharmacist.
How does Salbutamol work?
Salbutamol attaches to beta-2 receptors on the muscle around the airways. The muscle relaxes, the airways widen, and air moves more easily, usually within a few minutes.
How to take Salbutamol
Follow the label or your doctor's advice. A reliever inhaler is used only when needed for symptoms or before a known trigger, as your doctor has explained. Follow the pack leaflet and your doctor's instructions for the inhaler technique and any spacer.
Side effects of Salbutamol
Most people use salbutamol without serious problems. Some side effects are common and short-lived, but a few need medical help.
Uncommon or mild
- Feeling shaky
- A faster heartbeat that settles quickly
- Headache
- Nervousness
Rare but serious: get medical help
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing or swallowing (a severe allergic reaction). Get medical help immediately
- Breathing or wheeze getting worse straight after a puff. Stop using it and get medical help immediately
- A fast, irregular or pounding heartbeat that does not settle, or chest pain
- Muscle weakness, cramps or an irregular heartbeat, which can be a sign of low potassium
- Severe dizziness or light-headedness
Who should be careful
Some people need to check with a doctor before using salbutamol, or need extra care while using it.
When the label says not to use it
- Allergy to salbutamol or any ingredient of the inhaler
- Breathing that gets worse straight after using it (stop and get medical help)
- Needing the inhaler more often than usual, or at night, can mean asthma is getting worse: contact your doctor, pharmacist or nurse
- If breathing is very difficult or the inhaler does not help, get emergency medical help immediately
- Heart problems, an overactive thyroid, diabetes or low potassium
- Allergy to salbutamol or any ingredient of the inhaler
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: asthma should stay well controlled, and salbutamol inhalers are generally continued; talk to your doctor
- Have your inhaler technique checked regularly, and do not stop a prescribed inhaler unless your doctor tells you to
Medicines and things that interact with Salbutamol
Salbutamol can be used with most medicines, but a few combinations need a doctor's or pharmacist's review. Tell them about everything you take, including herbal remedies.
- Beta blockers (used for heart conditions and blood pressure): they can weaken its effect
- Water tablets (diuretics), steroids and theophylline-type medicines: potassium can fall too low
- Digoxin: its blood level may change
- Some antidepressants: the heart effects of salbutamol may increase
- Other reliever inhalers or breathing medicines: ask before combining
If someone takes too much
Using too much salbutamol can cause shakiness, a fast or pounding heartbeat and headache. If someone has used much more than advised, or has chest pain, call 112 or go to the nearest hospital, and take the inhaler with you. Seek advice at once for a child.
Regulatory status in India
Approved for sale in India as a prescription medicine; salbutamol sulphate is listed in Schedule H of the Drugs Rules 1945. Single-ingredient salbutamol is not on the CDSCO list of medicines banned under section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. Fixed-dose combinations of salbutamol with a cough suppressant or antihistamine are banned, so check the ingredient list on the pack.
Type of medicine
Salbutamol belongs to this type of medicine.
Medicines that contain Salbutamol
These medicines sold in India contain Salbutamol. They are listed A to Z, not ranked.
- Asthalin 100 · 100 mcg per puff metered-dose inhaler
What is Salbutamol used for?
Medicines that contain Salbutamol are used for these conditions.
Other medicines of the same type
These active ingredients are of the same type as Salbutamol.
Common questions
What is salbutamol used for?
Salbutamol is a reliever medicine. It is used to ease wheezing, cough, chest tightness and breathlessness in asthma and some other long-term lung conditions, and sometimes before activities that bring on symptoms. A doctor decides whether it suits you.
How quickly does a salbutamol inhaler work?
Most people notice an improvement in breathing within a few minutes of using it. If it does not help, or symptoms get worse, get medical help immediately rather than repeating it again and again.
Is salbutamol a steroid?
No. Salbutamol opens the airways but does not reduce inflammation. Steroid inhalers, called preventers, do that. Many people with asthma use both. Do not stop a preventer because the reliever helps; ask your doctor.
What if I need my salbutamol inhaler more often?
Needing it more often than usual, or at night, can mean your asthma is not well controlled. Tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse so that treatment can be reviewed. Do not simply use more without advice.
Can I use salbutamol in pregnancy?
Salbutamol inhalers are generally continued in pregnancy because uncontrolled asthma is risky for mother and baby. Tell your doctor you are pregnant or planning a baby, and do not stop it unless advised.
Is Asthalin the same as salbutamol?
Asthalin is a brand name for medicines containing salbutamol. Check the strength and form on the pack. Fixed-dose combinations of salbutamol with other medicines may differ, so check the ingredient list before using a different product.
Sources
- Salbutamol inhaler. NHS (UK)
- How and when to use salbutamol inhalers. NHS (UK)
- Who can and cannot use salbutamol inhalers. NHS (UK)
- Side effects of salbutamol inhalers. NHS (UK)
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility while using salbutamol inhalers. NHS (UK)
- Using salbutamol inhalers with other medicines and herbal supplements. NHS (UK)
- ATC/DDD Index: R03AC Selective beta-2-adrenoreceptor agonists. WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology
- List of drugs prohibited for manufacture and sale through gazette notifications under section 26A of the Drugs & Cosmetics Act 1940. Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)
- The Drugs Rules, 1945 (consolidated, September 2024 edition), Schedule H: prescription drugs. Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)