Salbutamol

Pronunciation: sal-BYOO-ta-mol.

Generic name
salbutamol (the international/UK name for albuterol)
Brand names
Ventolin (United Kingdom, European Union, Canada, Australia, New Zealand)
Drug class
Short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) bronchodilator
Form
Metered-dose inhaler (100 mcg per actuation)
Route
Oral inhalation
Legal status
Prescription-only

Availability and supply rules vary by country

Trade names by country: United States · United Kingdom · Canada · Australia · New Zealand

Australia: Ventolin (4) · Full directory

What salbutamol (the international/UK name for albuterol) is and how it works

Salbutamol is a prescription-only reliever (rescue) inhaler used to relieve or prevent sudden breathing difficulty (bronchospasm) caused by asthma or other reversible airway conditions such as chronic bronchitis or emphysema. It works within about 5 minutes and its effect lasts around 4-6 hours. (1)

Use your salbutamol inhaler exactly as your prescriber directs for quick relief of wheezing, coughing, or shortness of breath. If you find you need it more than about twice a week for symptoms, this is a real warning sign that your asthma is not well controlled and needs a review with your prescriber -- it is not something to manage by increasing your own dose or changing your other medicines yourself.

Mechanism of action: how salbutamol (the international/UK name for albuterol) works

Salbutamol is a selective beta-2 adrenergic receptor agonist that relaxes bronchial smooth muscle, producing bronchodilation within about 5 minutes with an effect lasting approximately 4-6 hours. (1)

What salbutamol (the international/UK name for albuterol) is used for

Relief and prevention of bronchospasm

Used to relieve symptoms of reversible airways obstruction (such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema) when they occur, and to prevent them in situations known to trigger an attack, in adults, adolescents, and children aged 4 and older. (1)

Prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm

Used shortly before exercise or unavoidable allergen exposure to help prevent breathing difficulty triggered by these situations. (1)

Before taking salbutamol (the international/UK name for albuterol)

Do not take / not appropriate for

  • Do not use salbutamol if you have had a hypersensitivity reaction to salbutamol or any excipient in the inhaler. (all countries) (1)
  • Non-intravenous salbutamol (such as this inhaler) must not be used to arrest uncomplicated premature labour. (United Kingdom, European Union) (1)

Tell your clinician about

  • Any underlying heart disease, including chest pain, irregular heartbeat, or high blood pressure.
  • Any history of an overactive thyroid.
  • Any history of low potassium levels.
  • All other medicines you use, especially other inhalers, beta-blockers, theophylline, steroids, or diuretics.
  • Pregnancy, plans for pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
  • How often you are using your reliever inhaler -- needing it more than about twice a week is important information for your prescriber, not something to manage on your own.
(1)

How to take salbutamol (the international/UK name for albuterol)

  • Use exactly as prescribed, shaking the inhaler well before each use and using the correct inhaler technique your prescriber or pharmacist showed you.
  • This is a reliever inhaler for quick relief of symptoms, or to prevent symptoms shortly before exercise or a known trigger -- it should not be your main, ongoing asthma treatment.
  • Do not use more than 8 inhalations in any 24-hour period without checking with your prescriber.
  • If you notice you are using your reliever inhaler more than about twice a week for symptoms, contact your prescriber for a review of your asthma control -- this is a real sign your asthma treatment plan may need adjusting.
  • If your breathing suddenly gets worse right after using this inhaler, this can be a rare but serious reaction to the inhaler itself (paradoxical bronchospasm) -- seek emergency medical help immediately.
(1)

Procedures and treatment changes

Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Missed dose

Salbutamol is generally used as needed for symptoms or before exercise rather than on a fixed schedule, so a 'missed dose' does not usually apply in the way it does for regular daily medicines. If you use salbutamol on a scheduled basis for any reason, ask your prescriber or pharmacist for specific guidance.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical help immediately if an overdose is suspected. Reported effects of excessive use include chest pain, a fast or irregular heartbeat, tremor, and low blood potassium; serum potassium monitoring may be needed. (1)

Side effects

Side effects and their urgency vary; report severe, persistent, or concerning symptoms.

Tremor (shakiness).

What to notice: Tremor (shakiness).

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)

Headache.

What to notice: Headache.

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)

Fast heartbeat (tachycardia).

What to notice: Fast heartbeat (tachycardia).

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)

Palpitations (uncommon).

What to notice: Palpitations (uncommon).

What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)

Serious warnings

Sudden worsening of breathing right after using the inhaler (paradoxical bronchospasm) — emergency

Symptoms: Wheezing or breathing difficulty that suddenly gets worse immediately after a dose, rather than better.

Action: Seek emergency medical help immediately. This is a rare but serious reaction to the inhaler itself; a clinician will assess and decide on further treatment, such as an alternative bronchodilator. (1)

Increasing need for this reliever inhaler — high caution

Symptoms: Needing your reliever inhaler more than about twice a week for symptom relief, outside of pre-exercise use.

Action: Contact your prescriber for a review -- this is a genuine warning sign of deteriorating asthma control that needs a change in your overall treatment plan, decided by your prescriber, not a signal to increase your own dose or adjust other medicines yourself. (1)

Cardiovascular symptoms — high caution

Symptoms: Chest pain, a fast or irregular heartbeat, or palpitations, especially in people with existing severe heart disease.

Action: Seek medical advice promptly if you experience chest pain or other symptoms of worsening heart disease; seek emergency medical help immediately for severe or persistent chest pain. (1)

Low potassium levels (hypokalaemia) — high caution

Symptoms: Muscle weakness or cramps; often has no obvious symptoms and is found on blood testing.

Action: Tell your prescriber if you are also taking theophylline, steroids, or diuretics, or if you have acute severe asthma, since these increase the risk; potassium level monitoring may be advised. (1)

Interactions

  • Non-selective beta-blocker medicines (such as propranolol) should not be prescribed together with salbutamol. (1)
  • Xanthine derivatives (such as theophylline), steroid medicines, and diuretics ('water tablets') can add to the risk of low potassium from salbutamol, particularly in acute severe asthma. (1)

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age

Pregnancy

Safety in pregnancy has not been formally established; non-intravenous salbutamol must not be used to arrest uncomplicated premature labour. Discuss the benefits and risks with your prescriber. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Breastfeeding

Use should be restricted during breastfeeding, since salbutamol may pass into breast milk; discuss with your prescriber. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Children

Approved for use from age 4 for relief and prevention of bronchospasm. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Elderly

No specific dose adjustment based on age alone is described in the source reviewed, though cardiovascular caution applies broadly to older patients with heart disease. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Hepatic_impairment

Not specifically detailed in the source reviewed. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Monitoring

Before starting

  • Baseline asthma control assessment
  • Cardiovascular history review
  • Inhaler technique check

During treatment

  • Track how often you use your reliever inhaler -- more than about twice a week for symptoms is a signal for prescriber review, not self-management.
  • Watch for cardiovascular symptoms (chest pain, palpitations) and for paradoxical worsening of breathing right after a dose.
  • Periodic asthma control review with your prescriber; potassium monitoring if also taking theophylline, steroids, or diuretics.
(1)

Storage

Store below 30°C, away from direct sunlight and heat. Do not puncture, break, or burn the canister, even when it appears empty.

Study the drug class: Beta-2 agonist bronchodilators

Professional information

Clinician-facing context only, sourced from the current UK SmPC; verify against the current full product information before prescribing.

United Kingdom / European Union

Indication: Relief and prevention of bronchospasm in reversible airways obstruction

Dose summary: On-demand use: not exceeding 8 inhalations in any 24-hour period. Preventive use: shortly before exercise or a known trigger. Approved from age 4. Short-acting beta-2 agonists should not be the main or only asthma treatment; increasing use signals inadequate control requiring reassessment of the overall regimen.

Renal context: Not specifically detailed in the source reviewed. (1)

Mechanism of action

Hepatic guidance

Not specifically detailed in the source reviewed.

Overdose note

Reported overdose effects include exaggerated beta-agonist effects: tachycardia, tremor, chest pain, and hypokalaemia. Manage supportively, including cardiac monitoring and correction of hypokalaemia (serum potassium monitoring) as needed. (1)

Frequently asked questions

What should I do if my breathing suddenly gets worse right after using my salbutamol inhaler?

This can be a rare but serious reaction called paradoxical bronchospasm, where the inhaler itself appears to worsen breathing instead of relieving it. Seek emergency medical help immediately -- this is a real medical emergency, and a clinician will decide on further treatment, such as an alternative bronchodilator. (1)

I'm using my reliever inhaler a lot more than I used to -- is that a problem?

Yes. Needing your reliever inhaler more than about twice a week is a genuine warning sign that your asthma is not well controlled, and it needs a review with your prescriber to adjust your overall treatment plan. It is not something to manage by taking more of this inhaler on your own or changing your other medicines yourself. (1)

Is salbutamol the same medicine as albuterol?

Yes. Salbutamol and albuterol are the same active medicine -- salbutamol is the name used in the UK, EU, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, while albuterol is the name used in the United States. (1) (6)

What is the mechanism of action of salbutamol (the international/UK name for albuterol)?

Salbutamol is a selective beta-2 adrenergic receptor agonist that relaxes bronchial smooth muscle, producing bronchodilation within about 5 minutes with an effect lasting approximately 4-6 hours. (1)

What is the generic name of Salbutamol?

The generic name is salbutamol (the international/UK name for albuterol). It is sold under brand names including Ventolin (United Kingdom, European Union, Canada, Australia, New Zealand). (1)

What class of drug is salbutamol (the international/UK name for albuterol)?

Salbutamol is classed as: Short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) bronchodilator. (1)

References

  1. Ventolin Evohaler 100 micrograms -- Summary of Product Characteristicselectronic medicines compendium (emc), United Kingdom -- GSK · United Kingdom · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 1
  2. Levosalbutamol, salbutamol -- list of nationally authorised medicinal products / PSUSA single assessmentEuropean Medicines Agency (EMA) -- salbutamol is nationally authorised across EU member states via national procedures · European Union · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 2
  3. Ventolin HFA (salbutamol) Product MonographHealth Canada product monograph · Canada · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 3
  4. Ventolin (salbutamol) -- ARTG registrationsTherapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia · Australia · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 4
  5. Ventolin (salbutamol) New Zealand Data SheetsMedsafe (New Zealand regulator) · New Zealand · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 5
  6. PROAIR HFA (albuterol sulfate) inhalation aerosol -- full prescribing informationU.S. Food and Drug Administration / DailyMed (NIH), full prescribing information, Teva (ProAir HFA) -- same active ingredient, US adopted name is albuterol · United States · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 6

Brand names by country

Single-ingredient salbutamol (the international/UK name for albuterol) names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.

Priority countries

United States

  • ProAir HFA / Ventolin HFA (marketed as albuterol) (6)FDA approved currently labeled · 90 mcg per actuation · Teva / GSK

United Kingdom

  • Ventolin Evohaler (1)MHRA licensed emc smpc confirmed · 100 mcg per actuation · GlaxoSmithKline

Canada

  • Ventolin HFA (3)Health Canada approved confirmed · 100 mcg per actuation · GSK Canada

Australia

  • Ventolin (4)TGA ARTG registered confirmed · 100 mcg per actuation · GlaxoSmithKline Australia Pty Ltd

New Zealand

  • Ventolin (5)Medsafe approved confirmed · 100 mcg per actuation · GSK New Zealand
View brands in additional countries.

European Union

Ventoline (2)

This page provides general reference information about salbutamol and is not a substitute for advice from the prescriber managing your treatment. All dosing and treatment decisions should be made with your prescriber.

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