Talk:Salbutamol
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The chemical formula for this was changed by user:cacycle. The formula at http://chemfinder.cambridgesoft.com is alpha1-((tert-butylamino)methyl)-4-hydroxy-m-xylene-alpha,alpha-diol (search for salbutamol). The formula 4-(2-(tert-butylamino)-1-hydroxyethyl)-2-(hydroxymethyl)phenol doesn't seem to represent the image (though my ability to interpret IUPAC names is weak). http://www.ch.ic.ac.uk/local/projects/j_hettich/salbutamol/project/start.html also has the first formula listed as IUPAC. Matt 17:15, 17 Aug 2004 (UTC)
- Ok after re-reading the formula, the current one does seem to represent the image (I told you my ability to interpret IUPAC names is weak), but I still don't know which one is more correct. The current one does seem shorter. Matt 17:20, 17 Aug 2004 (UTC)
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[edit] Legal Status and History of use
I've been wondering why albuterol is regulated in the U.S. (and other countries) as prescription only. It doesn't have a high abuse potential and is completly safe if used in moderation. I haven't found any information on this and there is none in the article as to how it became under this legal status. There also is no section about the history of albuterol, which I think would make a good addition to the article. Would someone with knowledge on these areas be interested and adding this into the article? --Dr. WTF 23:12, 12 February 2007 (UTC)
A drug doesn't have to have a "high abuse potential" to be classified as prescriptions only. One reason I can think of that albuterol should remain prescription-only is that those with daily asthma attack will keep using/"abusing" albuterol instead of seeking a doctor. Albuterol is very effective for short-term relief but it's not recommended as maintenance therapy. Over-reliance to albuterol can be deadly. So to this end, such addition to the article doesn't seem necessary. Vandelay 06:05, 8 August 2007 (UTC)
Its so the doctors and pharmacies can keep making money, thats all. Albuterol is no more dangerous than aspirin or NyQuil or over-the-counter (OTC) diet pills. All could be dangerous if you abused them but 99.99% of the people using them have no problem and are properly educated and this would continue if OTC sale were legalised.
I read in the Los Angeles Times a few months ago of a proposal to let many current prescription drugs (like antibiotics and inhalers) be sold OTC. But the doctors' unions caused a ruckus and told congress a bunch of lies about the dangers of this. What a load. Its all about money. Adults should be able to put anything they want in their own bodies without anyone's approval if they so choose.
As for me, I need my albuterol but I do not have insurance. So when I visit Tijuana or elsewhere in Mexico, I pick up a 3-pack that costs me MX$180 pesos (US$20 dollars) and sneak them back into California. No prescription is required in Mexico for light pharmaceuticals, only drugs you could get high on like vicoden. Think about it - an American has to go to MEXICO to get his inhaler - not because its cheaper (although it is much cheaper) but because he can not afford an (unnecessary) doctor visit. Huge gains in the health of Americans could be realised if we just made prescriptions optional and it would save us a ton of money without the huge tax raise of Hillary-care nationalised health care. But for now, I have to visit a free, third-world country for my basic health care. --Jon in California 28 December 2007. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 208.127.73.9 (talk) 05:53, 29 December 2007 (UTC)
[edit] long-term overuse of albuterol?
For the last month or so, I've been heavily (over)using my albuterol inhaler. I finally went to see my doctor and have upped my daily steroids to get my chronic asthma under control, however, I'm very interested in the possible side effects of this kind of overuse. It's possible that on some days I did 30-40 puffs, and I don't think I went through many nights/days with out at least 2-4 puffs. It was not uncommon for me to do 5-10 puffs at a time, just to be able to go back to sleep or to continue regular activities. Yesterday morning I did 10-15 puffs, went on a 15mi bike ride, and now, over 24 hours later, I still have tremors in my hands when I hold my arms out (I haven't done a single puff since then).
I'm particularly interested in studies that have been done about overuse of albuturol, or other individuals' experiences. I was not able to find out much about this even after a fairly extensive web search.
- The talk page of Wikipedia is probably not the most appropriate place to be having such a discussion, but here goes... I'm not surprised that you've experienced tremors, because the high doses you took would've resulted in systemic absorption of the salbutamol/albuterol, leading to systemic β2-adrenoceptor activation. Tremors are probably the most common manifestation, in addition to palpitations and headache. A more serious outcome of excessive doses of salbutamol is hypokalaemia (in fact, IV salbutamol is often used to treat hyperkalaemia). The long-term overuse of β2-agonist may also cause downregulation of the β2-adrenergic receptors, such that tolerance develops to their effects. To cut to the chase, long-term overuse of salbutamol/albuterol is NOT a good idea.
- If you required that much salbutamol, I'm curious as to why your doctor didn't prescribe a long-acting β2-agonist (perhaps in a combination inhaler with your inhaled corticosteroids) to improve your maintenance therapy. One obvious question I want to ask is whether your pharmacist or doctor has checked your inhaler technique? It seems to me that if you need that many puffs you're either having an acute asthma attack (which doesn't appear to be the case), or you mightn't be using the inhaler correctly and therefore not receiving the full dose to your airways. -Techelf 11:43, 12 Jun 2005 (UTC)
Ten puffs at a time does sound a bit ridiculous, even when my asthma was severe and extremely distressing, two or maybe three puffs would be all I needed to get back to breathing almost perfectly again. Five to ten puffs to get breathing properly? At that rate I think you'd better be careful to have your inhaler within close reach at all times because without it you definitely wouldn't be still with us. Anonywiki 03:51, 29 July 2007 (UTC)
[edit] Albuterol as a vasoconstrictor?
I've heard that Albuterol also acts as a vasoconstrictor. Can someone more knowledgeable about this confirm of deny this as it would be an important side effect it seems. Mediocretes 23:26, 25 March 2006 (UTC)
- No, activation of β2-adrenergic receptors does not cause vasoconstriction. -Techelf 07:52, 26 March 2006 (UTC)
- It actually appears that it might cause vasodilation. It does have a high potential for causing tachycardia, though. Zuiram 01:37, 27 October 2006 (UTC)
[edit] Other brand names
Xpenex I believe is different as the active ingredient is Levalbuterol HCl. Someone possibly needs to do a cleanup? RonEJ 19:18, 17 March 2007 (UTC)
Aleta, thank you. RonEJ 21:36, 17 March 2007 (UTC)
- You're welcome. :) Aleta 21:52, 17 March 2007 (UTC)
[edit] Effects on libido
I was a long term user of Ventolin (the brand I know it by) - for probably 15 years. I switched to Seretide, mainly because it lasted for longer periods (12 hrs vs 4 hrs). I remember thinking 'I'm not so... randy... all the time' but wrote it off as moving from teenagerhood to mid 20's etc etc. This was 10 years ago. The other day I ran out of seretide, and needed a script to get more, so used a ventolin I had lying around (I have one in my gym bag for instant relief if required) for a few days. My libido skyrocketed. After switching back to seretide, I stabilised again. This is just a personal anecdote, but I wonder if anyone else has noticed this. Luke, 14 August 2007
[edit] half life?
i have noticed that on the half life article (link fron the article) it says that the half life of salbutamol is 7 hrs- but on the article it says 1.6 hrs- am i being stupid or pedantic? also i am very interested in the above post on libido, and while not a discussion forum i would like to spread my love of this site and all it's sundries- i have been using ventolin since in mid childhood, i am now 27 and have not thought of any libido effect - i am DEFINITLEY affected by it - and now it makes sense!! also, the tablet image at th top could be better! salbutamol is usually an aresol or a liquid. (Jimwalkers (talk) 18:05, 14 January 2008 (UTC))
[edit] Salbutamol Brand Name:
Salbutral= contains: Salbutamol
When administered the recommended dosage, the absorbtion on a systematic level from bronchial administration is low. Peak plasmatic concentration is between 2-4 hours.
Data from urinary excretion indicate that salbutamol is eliminated in 3-4 hours. Aproximately 72% of inhaled is excreted during the following 24 hours in urine, 28% as unaltered drug and 44% as metabolites.
Overdose symptoms:
Hyperglycemia, hypokalemia, hypotension, lactic acidosis, tachycardia, trembling, vomiting.
Less common symptoms:
Agitation, neck pain, headache, hyperkalemia, hypertension, hypophosphatemia, peripheral vasoconstriction, respiratory alkalosis.
Rare effects:
Alucinations, tachycardia, agitation
Treatment for overdose:
Drug to use as antidote is an agent B-blocker cardioselective. Should be used carefully on pacients with bronchospasm. Should'nt be combined with other inhalers. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Rdx4u 2 (talk • contribs) 16:29, 17 March 2008 (UTC)
[edit] Is this common?
I stutter when I have my inhaler.
What does this mean??
Thanks,
Lunakeet 13:19, 6 May 2008 (UTC)
Never mind, that's all just part of the tremors.
