Asthma is a chronic condition in which the immune system has an abnormally strong response to normally benign stimuli such as smoke, dust, pollen and cold air. Medications such as albuterol work to rapidly relieve asthma symptoms; they do not cure the disease but help reduce the risk of serious complications.
Asthma Pathology
As the Mayo Clinic explains, asthma is the result of unusual inflammation in the airways. Asthma can be divided into both chronic and acute symptoms. Chronic symptoms generally involve a chronic cough and some difficulty breathing. Acute asthma attacks are brought on by sudden inflammation and swelling occurring in the airways. Acute asthma attacks cause severe shortness of breath, wheezing and tightness in the chest.
Albuterol Uses
Albuterol is a medication that works as rapid-acting bronchodilator and is commonly referred to as a "rescue" inhaler. This is because albuterol acts very quickly to help expand the airways. Albuterol typically is used to treat acute asthma attacks. It is less effective for treating chronic asthma because albuterol wears off very quickly.
Albuterol Mechanism
The Merck Manual explains that albuterol belongs to a class of drugs called short-acting beta-agonists. Beta agonists bind to special proteins called beta adrenergic receptors. Beta adrenergic receptors normally receive signals from the nervous system and, when stimulated, tell the smooth muscles around the airways to relax. By mimicking these chemical signals, beta-agonists are able to cause smooth muscle relaxation, which causes the airways to dilate. This eases the flow of air, helping relieve wheezing and making it easier to breathe.
Forms
Albuterol is used in different forms. It is commonly inhaled, either through a nebulizer, which sends the drug into lungs in a mist form, or a metered dose inhalers. Both of these forms allow the medication to gain access directly to the airways, allowing the albuterol to work quickly. Albuterol also can be taken in a extended-release tablet or as a liquid. The oral forms of albuterol are more likely to cause side effects than the inhalable forms.
Side Effects
Medline notes that albuterol can lead to an uncontrollable tremor in the body's muscles as well as a headache. Patients also may experience nausea, coughing, vomiting and a sore throat. Patients may feel nervous or anxious. Sometimes albuterol can lead to arrythmias and an increased heart rate.
