Salbutamol - Pharmacology - Uses, Mechanism Of Action & Adverse Effects

Salbutamol is a short-acting beta 2 adrenergic receptor agonist, used to treat various airway diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and to prevent exercise-induced bronchospasms.
Routes of administration include oral, subcutaneous, intravenous, and inhalational.
Out of these, the most effective one is the inhalational route since it significantly reduces the systemic distribution of the drug.
Beta 2 receptors are predominantly located in airway smooth muscle cells. In addition, they can be found in the cardiac muscle, uterine smooth muscle cells, blood vessels, skeletal muscle, and in various immune cells.
Since the drug is mainly used for airway conditions, let’s focus on its mechanism of action in bronchial smooth muscle cells.
Following administration, salbutamol binds to the beta 2 adrenergic receptors on bronchial smooth muscle cells and activates them.
Beta 2 adrenergic receptor is a G protein coupled receptor, and activation of this receptor leads to the activation of an enzyme called adenylyl cyclase, which increases the cyclic AMP levels within the cell.
Increased cyclic AMP causes reduction in intracellular calcium levels, which ultimately relaxes the smooth muscle.
Through this mechanism, salbutamol causes relaxation of smooth muscles of all airways, from the trachea to terminal bronchioles.
In addition, increased cyclic AMP levels will inhibit the release of inflammatory mediators by the mast cells, which ultimately reduces inflammation.
Salbutamol is metabolized by the liver and excreted via the kidneys.
Some common adverse effects of salbutamol include the following.
Tremors.
Palpitations, or noticeable heartbeat.
Nausea and vomiting.
Headache.
Muscle and bone pain.
And allergic reactions.
Finally, it is important to know that these adverse effects occur much less frequently when salbutamol inhalers are used.

#salbutamol #medtoday

asthma,salbutamol,inhaler,nursing pharmacology made easy,nursing school,nursing pharmacology,salbutamol pharmacology,salbutamol mechanism of action,salbutamol side effects,salbutamol adverse effects,adrenergic agonists,beta 2 receptor agonists,short-acting beta 2 receptor agonists