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Salbutamol

Ventolin is the brand-name version of salbutamol, a short-acting beta2-agonist that opens narrowed airways to relieve bronchospasm. This is the 2 mg and 4 mg oral tablet.

Ventolin

Bronchospasm, Asthma

2mg · 4mg

Salbutamol tablets for bronchospasm and asthma. It relaxes airway muscles to open the lungs.

From$0.66/ tabletView

Key points

  • Needing salbutamol more often, or a sudden jump in dose, signals that asthma control is slipping and may mask worsening disease.
  • Salbutamol is the same molecule as albuterol, the name you will see on US labels and in much online material.
  • Particular caution applies in acute severe asthma, where the effect may be stronger when oxygen levels are low or when taken alongside xanthines, steroids and diuretics.

How does Salbutamol work?

Salbutamol relaxes the smooth muscle wrapped around the airways, letting them widen so air can flow in and out. It acts on beta2 receptors in lung tissue, which is why propranolol, a beta-blocker, can cancel its effect. The body clears salbutamol within a few hours, making it a short-acting reliever for sudden tightening in asthma rather than a daily controller. It falls under Respiratory Health on this catalogue.

Further reading