Albuterol

Albuterol is a short-acting adrenergic beta-agonist, widely used in the immediate treatment of symptomatic asthma and other respiratory diseases. It is a "racemic mixture with a 1:1 ratio of the r-isomer, levalbuterol, and s-albuterol, with the chemical name 2-t-Butylamino-1-(4-hydroxy-3-hydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl)phenylethanol.

While most often administered through the respiratory tract using a metered dose inhaler or nebulizer, it also can be given orally.

Uses
Approved indications for the inhaled form include:
 * Acute Asthma Attack
 * Asthma Prevention
 * Bronchitis
 * Bronchospasm Prevention
 * Bronchospastic Pulmonary Disease
 * Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm Prevention
 * Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
 * Pulmonary Emphysema

Off-label uses include: hyperkalemia, familial hyperkalemic periodic paralysis, and respiratory distress in neonates.

Drug comparisons
While it is considered short-acting, its duration of action is longer isoproterenol, is less likely to cause cardiac effects, and as at least as effective as a bronchodilator.