Description & Key Indications: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) used as an inhaled bronchodilating agent. It treats acute bronchospasm and episodic wheezing in asthma, exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) prophylaxis, and serves as reliever therapy in COPD. Off-label uses include hyperkalemia, where it lowers potassium by 1–1.5 mEq/L, and managing respiratory symptoms in anaphylaxis unresponsive to epinephrine. Inhaled albuterol is preferred over oral routes due to its superior side-effect profile and faster onset.

Mechanism of Action: As a racemic mixture, bronchodilation is driven by the R-isomer (levalbuterol); the S-isomer exhibits bronchoconstrictive properties in animals. Albuterol stimulates moderately selective beta-2 receptors, activating adenylate cyclase to increase intracellu ...