Salbutamol brands and prices in Pakistan

About Salbutamol

Salbutamol (called albuterol in the US) is a bronchodilator. It relaxes the muscles around the airways so they open wider and breathing gets easier. It is a fast-acting "reliever" medicine: it starts working within minutes of a puff and the effect lasts a few hours. It mostly comes as an inhaler (puffer), which is usually blue, and can also be given as a mist through a nebuliser machine, usually for severe asthma or COPD. It is a prescription medicine.

Who should not take it, or should take care

• Most adults and children of all ages can use the inhaler. Children and young people should only use it through a nebuliser with specialist advice.
• Do not use it if you have had an allergic reaction to salbutamol or any of the ingredients.
• Tell your doctor if you have a heart problem, such as heart disease, a recent heart attack, a fast or uneven heartbeat, or a heart muscle disease.
• Tell your doctor if you have very high blood pressure that is not treated, or a bulging blood vessel (aneurysm).
• Tell your doctor if you have an overactive thyroid, diabetes (it can raise blood sugar), low potassium in your blood, or a rare adrenal gland tumour (phaeochromocytoma).
• Some powder inhalers may contain milk proteins, so tell your doctor about any allergies. The Irish health service says salbutamol is suitable for people who are lactose intolerant.
• Pregnancy: NHS advice says it can be used in pregnancy, as keeping asthma under control is important. The UK product leaflet is more cautious and says it should only be used if clearly needed. Tell your doctor or midwife if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, and if your asthma gets worse.
• The UK product leaflet says not to use it if you go into labour early or have a threatened miscarriage.
• Breastfeeding: NHS advice says you can use your inhaler as normal. Only a small amount passes into breast milk. Contact a doctor if your baby is not feeding well or you are worried.
• There is no evidence that it affects fertility in men or women.

Medicines and drinks that can interact

• Beta blockers (heart and blood pressure medicines such as bisoprolol) can stop salbutamol working well and may make breathing worse. Your doctor will weigh this up.
• Water tablets (diuretics) such as furosemide, steroid medicines such as prednisolone, and theophylline or aminophylline, as these can raise the risk of low potassium
• Digoxin and other heart rhythm medicines
• Some antidepressants (tricyclic antidepressants and MAO inhibitors) and procarbazine
• Diabetes medicines
• Other inhaled bronchodilators, adrenaline (epinephrine), and cold medicines
• Tell your anaesthetist that you use salbutamol if you are due to have a general anaesthetic.
• Herbal remedies and supplements: there is not enough information to show they are safe with salbutamol. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about anything you take.

Always tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine, supplement and herbal product you take.

Using it safely

• Use it exactly as your doctor, nurse or pharmacist has told you. Do not use more without talking to your doctor first.
• Always carry your reliever inhaler with you, even if you only need it now and then. Keep a spare and know when to replace it.
• Ask a doctor, nurse or pharmacist to check your inhaler technique, especially if it has not been checked recently. Poor technique can stop the medicine reaching your lungs.
• A spacer (a plastic tube that fits on the inhaler) can make it easier to get the medicine into the lungs, especially for young children.
• If your inhaler has no dose counter, keep a note of how often you use it. This also helps you and your doctor see how well your asthma or COPD is controlled.
• Before each use, take the cover off fully and check the mouthpiece is clean and empty. Put the cover back on afterwards.
• Do not stop using it unless your doctor tells you to.
• Do not puncture, break or burn the canister, even when it seems empty. Keep it away from heat and flames, do not freeze it, and keep it out of the reach of children. Do not throw medicines in household rubbish or down the drain; ask your pharmacist how to get rid of them.
• If you feel dizzy or shaky, do not drive, cycle or use machinery until you feel better.
• Stopping smoking helps your lungs. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you quit.

Common questions

What is the difference between a reliever and a preventer inhaler?
A reliever like salbutamol works quickly to ease symptoms when they happen. A preventer is used regularly, as prescribed, to calm the airways and stop symptoms starting. Most people with asthma or COPD are given both.

Can I drink alcohol or eat normally while using salbutamol?
Yes. NHS advice says you can drink alcohol and there is no food or drink you need to avoid.

Does salbutamol affect contraception?
No. It does not affect any type of contraception, including the combined pill and emergency contraception.

Is it safe to use salbutamol for many years?
NHS advice says there is no evidence that it causes lasting harm, even after many years of use. If you find you need it more often than usual, see your doctor, as your treatment may need changing.

Do inhalers affect the environment?
Puffer-type inhalers (pressurised metered dose inhalers) contain gases that add strongly to climate change. Dry powder inhalers do not. Your doctor or nurse may suggest a different inhaler if it is safe for you, and should check that you can use it properly.

Prepared from the sources listed by the MedInfoBase team. General information, not medical advice: it gives no doses. Your doctor or pharmacist decides the medicine and dose for you.