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Salbutamol

 

Salbutamol Airomir Review

generic name: Salbutamol

How does it work?

Salapin syrup contains the active ingredient salbutamol, which is a type of medicine known as a short-acting beta 2 agonist. (NB. Salbutamol is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.)

Salbutamol works by acting on receptors in the lungs called beta 2 receptors. When salbutamol stimulates these receptors it causes the muscles in the airways to relax. This allows the airways to open.

In conditions where there is narrowing of the airways, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, eg emphysema and chronic bronchitis), it is difficult for air to get in and out of the lungs. By opening the airways, salbutamol makes it easier to breathe.

Salbutamol is most commonly taken using an inhaler device. Inhaling the medicine allows it to act directly in the lungs where it is needed most. It also reduces the potential for side effects occurring in other parts of the body, as the amount absorbed into the blood through the lungs is lower than if it is taken by mouth.

Salbutamol when used as an inhaler is known as a reliever. This is because it works very quickly to relieve asthma attacks, wheezing, chest tightness or shortness of breath. Salbutamol inhalers can also be used to open the airways shortly before exercising to prevent wheezing.

Salbutamol is sometimes prescribed to be taken by mouth, eg as syrup, for people who cannot use inhalers very well. It must be taken regularly in this way to help keep the airways open all the time.

Use with caution in

• Irregular heart beats (arrhythmias)
  
  
• Hyperthyroidism
  
  
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
  
  
• Heart disease
  
  
• Diabetes
  
  

What is it used for?

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  
  
• Asthma
  
  

Warning!

• People with severe asthma should have regular blood tests to monitor the amount of potassium in their blood. This is because low oxygen levels in the blood (hypoxia) and various asthma medicines, including this one, can lower blood potassium levels.
  
  
• If your Salbutamol (Airomir) syrup doesn't seem to be working as well as usual, or for as long as usual to relieve wheezing or chest tightness, you should consult your doctor as soon as possible. It may be that your asthma or COPD is getting worse and your doctor might need to give you another medicine.
  
  
• Do not exceed the dose of Salbutamol (Airomir) that your doctor has prescribed you to use.
  
  

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

• Low blood potassium level (hypokalaemia)
  
  
• Muscle cramps
  
  
• Awareness of your heart beat (heart palpitations)
  
  
• Faster than normal heart beat (tachycardia)
  
  
• Headache
  
  
• Nervous tension
  
  
• Shaking, usually of the hands (tremor)
  
  

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.

For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while taking this one, to ensure that the combination is safe .

This medicine should not be taken with beta-blockers, such as atenolol, propranolol or timolol. This is because beta-blockers have an opposite action to this medicine and cause the airways to narrow. This can result in breathing difficulties for people with asthma or COPD. This problem has sometimes been seen with eye drops containing beta-blockers, eg used for glaucoma.

Salbutamol can potentially cause a serious decrease in the levels of potassium in the blood (hypokalaemia), which may result in adverse effects. This effect can be increased by the following medicines, which can also lower potassium in the blood:

• diuretics, such as bendrofluazide and frusemide.
  
  
• other beta 2 agonists, such as salmeterol
  
  
• corticosteroids, such as beclometasone and prednisolone
  
  
• xanthine derivates, such as theophylline or aminophylline
  
  

This is why people with severe asthma or COPD, who may be taking several of these medicines, should have their blood potassium levels monitored regularly.