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salbutamol (Inspiryl Turbuhaler)

✓ Approved

AstraZeneca UK Limited · ADRB2 · Small Molecule

What is salbutamol?

salbutamol is a small molecule developed by AstraZeneca UK Limited. It is approved for therapeutic indications via inhaled or topical.

Drug Profile

Brand NamesInspiryl Turbuhaler
CompanyAstraZeneca UK Limited
Drug ClassSmall Molecule
Molecular TargetADRB2
RouteInhaled, Topical
StatusApproved
Sources: ClinicalTrials.gov, AstraZeneca UK Limited

Mechanism of Action

Molecular Targets

salbutamol acts on 1 molecular target:

ADRB2adrenoceptor beta 2 (B2AR, ARB2)
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Therapeutic Indications

salbutamol is developed for 1 unique indication across 1 therapeutic area.

Therapeutic AreaConditionPhase
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disordersAsthma✓ Approved

Related Research Articles

PubMedDrug development and industrial pharmacy2026-08-30

Development of Extended-Release Oral Dosage Forms of Salbutamol Sulfate Using the Hot-Melt Extrusion Manufacturing Technique.

Ramadan Banan B, Al-Zoubi Nizar N, Migdadi Eman E, AlSuwais Alia Kh AK et al.

To fabricate and characterize extrudable polymeric matrices using a combination of ethyl cellulose (EC) and two different grades of hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) that can provide sustained drug release of the model drug salbutamol sulfate. Implementation of the Hot-Melt Extrusion (HME) technique in the fabrication of polymeric combinations that will provide ready-to-use matrices for sustained release dosage forms. Two formulation groups were developed; each with six formulations. The first group contained EC: HPC 370,000 ratios ranging from 55.52:13.8% to 6.9:62.46%, respectively. The second group contained EC: HPC 80,000 ranging from 59.4:10% to 9.4:60%, respectively. The release profiles were determined via in vitro studies to assess the ability of matrices to prolong salbutamol release. Solid-state characterization was also performed on the raw material and representative extrudates formulations using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and polarized light microscopy (PLM). The first group formulations exhibited prolonged drug release profiles that accelerated progressively as the level of HPC 370,000 increased. In contrast, the second group formulations exhibited a noticeably faster release, demonstrating that HPC 80,000 can effectively accelerate drug release through enhanced matrix erosion and water penetration. DSC and XRPD revealed that the model drug remained in its stable crystalline state even after thermal processing via HME. PLM further confirmed drug crystallinity within the extrudates. EC-HPC matrices successfully demonstrated the feasibility of using HME to prepare sustained-release matrices for salbutamol sulfate with the ability to tune drug release by varying polymer grade and ratio.

PMID 42669207
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PubMedJournal of clinical medicine2026-08-27

Discordance Between Clinical Suspicion and Spirometry-Defined Reversible Airflow Obstruction in Children with Sickle Cell Disease in French Guiana.

Bafunyembaka Gabriel G, Evens Estiverne E, Nathan Nadia N, Makembi Arriel A et al.

Background: Asthma is an important respiratory comorbidity in children with sickle cell disease (SCD), but respiratory symptoms overlap with SCD-related pulmonary manifestations. Methods: We analyzed prospectively recorded routine-care data from 140 children aged 5-17 years who were offered a standardized respiratory assessment during clinically stable follow-up. During revision, we applied a post hoc operational spirometric comparator: reversible airflow obstruction required FEV1/FVC < 80% plus an FEV1 increase ≥12% after salbutamol. Participants with normal spirometry formed the negative comparator; incomplete or intermediate objective patterns remained unclassified. Results: Reversible obstruction was identified in 43 children, normal spirometry in 25, and 72 remained unclassified. Previous clinical suspicion was present in 10/43 (23.3%), 3/25 (12.0%), and 22/72 (30.6%), respectively. In the deliberately contrastive classified-only analysis (n = 68), sensitivity was 23.3% (95% CI 11.8-38.6), specificity 88.0% (68.8-97.5), LR+ 1.94 (0.59-6.39), LR- 0.87 (0.70-1.09), and κ = 0.090 (95% CI -0.059 to 0.239). The likelihood-ratio intervals were wide and included 1.0, indicating substantial imprecision rather than proof of no discrimination. Conclusions: Prior clinical suspicion showed low sensitivity and slight agreement with spirometry-defined reversible obstruction. Interpretation is limited by the post hoc two-gate comparison and by the large, non-randomly distributed unclassified group.

PMID 42652746
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PubMedCanadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthesie2026-08-26

Effect of salbutamol during one-lung ventilation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomized controlled trial.

Oh Young Jun YJ, Kim Namo N, Choo Hyeonju H, Lee Kyuho K

Ventilation-perfusion mismatch during one-lung ventilation (OLV) for thoracic surgery increases the risk of hypoxemia. Salbutamol may selectively dilate pulmonary vessels and enhance perfusion of the ventilated lung. We sought to investigate whether selective salbutamol nebulization to the ventilated lung during OLV improves gas exchange and respiratory mechanics in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In this prospective randomized controlled trial, we randomly allocated 90 patients scheduled for lung resection to receive salbutamol or placebo nebulization 30 min after OLV initiation and analyzed 82 patients (41 per group). The primary endpoint was the change in the partial pressure of arterial oxygen/fraction of inspired oxygen (PaO2/FIO2) after nebulization. Secondary outcomes included other gas exchange and respiratory mechanics indices, hemodynamic variables, and perioperative complications. Compared with placebo, salbutamol increased PaO2/FIO2 (mean difference, 26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0 to 53; P = 0.03) and decreased alveolar dead space (mean difference, -1.7; 95% CI, -4.3 to -0.1; P = 0.04) as well as serum potassium (mean difference, -0.2; 95% CI, -0.4 to 0.0; P = 0.01). Heart rate rose transiently without arrhythmia. In a subgroup of patients who had received preoperative inhaler therapy, no between-group differences were observed. Selective salbutamol nebulization during OLV improved oxygenation and respiratory mechanics without serious adverse events, and it may be considered as an adjunctive option for the management of intraoperative hypoxemia in patients with COPD. The lack of benefit among patients who received preoperative inhaler therapy suggests that intraoperative selective one-lung nebulization may be more advantageous than preoperative two-lung nebulization. ClinicalTrials.gov ( NCT05914285 ); first submitted 13 June 2023.

PMID 42645752
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PubMedPediatric pulmonology2026-08-24

Viral Induced Hypersecretion of Mucous (VIper): Proposal for a Distinct Phenotype of Viral Induced Lower Respiratory Tract Infection in Children.

Massie John J, Baenziger Olivia O

Some children with an acute viral lower respiratory tract illness present with a phenotype that overlaps with, but is distinct from, that of asthma. These children have shortness of breath with increased work of breathing, wet cough, hypoxia out of proportion to the work of breathing, incomplete resolution of hypoxia with supplemental oxygen, worsening of oxygen saturation after salbutamol and improvement of oxygen saturation with coughing. The pathophysiology appears to relate to relate to excess mucous secretion in the airways causing ventilation:perfusion (V/Q) mismatching, which is then exacerbated by salbutamol use. A descriptive label for this condition is Viral Induced hypersecretion of mucous (VIper). Since this has yet to receive formal recognition as a subtype of viral induced lower respiratory tract infection in children, there are no published therapeutic trials of management. This letter details the proposed pathophysiological mechanisms of mucous hypersecretion and V?Q mismatching. The value of considering VIper as a distinct subset of viral lower respiratory tract infection is to prevent harmful treatments and offer the opportunity for prospective trials of effective therapies.

PMID 42634888
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PubMedFrontiers in pediatrics2026-08-15

Body mass index, lung function, and FeNO in children with positive bronchodilator response: a cross-sectional study.

Zhou Tingting T, Liu Juan J, Lin Yuanyuan Y, Zhang Guilan G et al.

To investigate the association between body mass index (BMI) and pulmonary function in pediatric outpatients with positive bronchodilator response. We hypothesized that BMI is associated with impaired pulmonary function in this population. This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Pediatrics of Mianyang Central Hospital from January 2024 to December 2024. A total of 430 children aged 4-14 years who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled. Based on body mass index (BMI), participants were categorized into an higher BMI group (n = 78), a normal BMI group (n = 338), and an lower BMI group (n = 14). Pulmonary function tests were performed to measure forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio, maximum mid-expiratory flow (MMEF), and forced expiratory flow at 25%, 50%, and 75% of FVC (FEF25, FEF50, FEF75). Bronchodilator responsiveness was evaluated after salbutamol inhalation by measuring changes in FEV1 and FVC, including absolute and percentage increases. Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) levels were measured using standardized procedures. Correlations between BMI, FeNO levels, and pulmonary function parameters were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using appropriate tests. A two-tailed P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. No significant differences were observed in baseline pulmonary function parameters, including FVC% predicted, FEV1% predicted, FEV1/FVC, MMEF, FEF25, FEF50, and FEF75, across BMI groups (all P > 0.05). A significant difference in FEV1/FVC was observed between boys and girls (P < 0.05). After bronchodilator testing, a significant difference was observed only in the absolute increase in FVC among BMI groups (P = 0.016), whereas no significant difference was found in FEV1 improvement. Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) levels were positively correlated with the absolute increase in FVC (r = 0.165, P = 0.002). No significant differences were observed in baseline pulmonary function parameters across BMI groups in children aged 4-14 years. However, differences in bronchodilator-induced changes in FVC were identified among different BMI categories, and FeNO levels were positively associated with bronchodilator-induced changes in FVC. These findings indicate that body mass index and FeNO are independently associated with bronchodilator-related changes in lung function in this population, which may be relevant when interpreting pediatric pulmonary function test results.

PMID 42602167
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PubMedBMJ open2026-08-13

Access to essential medicines in Albania: a cross-sectional survey of availability, prices and affordability using the WHO/Health Action International (HAI) Global Core List.

Petro Eriona E, Mantel-Teeuwisse Aukje K AK, Joosse Iris Rebecca IR, Siebers Arthur C M ACM et al.

To assess the availability, prices and affordability of essential medicines in Albania, focusing on a standardised set of medicines from the Global Core List (GCL), using an adapted WHO/Health Action International (WHO/HAI) methodology. Cross-sectional survey. 30 private community pharmacies across six urban areas in Albania (Tirana, Durrës, Fier, Vlorë, Kavajë and Lushnjë). Licensed private community pharmacies, including both contracted and non-contracted pharmacies under the national health insurance scheme. Availability, patient prices and affordability of 14 medicines from the GCL. Affordability was assessed using the daily wage of the lowest-paid government worker (LPGW), and prices were evaluated using the median price ratio (MPR) compared with international reference prices. The mean availability of WHO/HAI GCL medicines was 79.8%, slightly below the WHO target of 80%. In a secondary analysis that included therapeutically equivalent alternative formulations availability increased to 83.3%. Ceftriaxone, amoxicillin and salbutamol were among the least available medicines and were frequently out of stock. All medicines, except ceftriaxone, met affordability criteria based on LPGW. MPR analysis showed that while most medicines were priced competitively, some, including diclofenac and ceftriaxone, were substantially higher than international reference prices, with five medicines exceeding an MPR of 4.0. Overall, 64% of medicines met both availability and affordability thresholds. Access to essential medicines in Albania appears to be primarily constrained by availability rather than affordability. Gaps in the availability of key antibiotics and asthma medicines highlight the need for targeted policy interventions, including improved procurement, supply chain management and rational use strategies to strengthen equitable access to essential medicines.

PMID 42595360
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