Small molecule
PubChem CID 2083
Albuterol
Ventolin / ProAir
- Mechanism of action
- Beta-2 adrenergic receptor agonist
- In plain language
- Relaxes the tight muscles around the airways so breathing opens back up fast.
- How it works
- Albuterol selectively stimulates beta-2 adrenergic receptors on airway smooth muscle, activating adenylyl cyclase and raising intracellular cyclic AMP. Elevated cAMP activates protein kinase A, which inhibits myosin light-chain phosphorylation and lowers intracellular calcium in smooth muscle cells. The net effect is relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle from the trachea to the terminal bronchioles, reversing bronchoconstriction regardless of the triggering spasmogen. Because beta-2 receptors predominate in the lungs over the heart, albuterol produces this bronchodilator effect with comparatively limited cardiovascular stimulation versus older, non-selective beta-agonists.
- Therapeutic applications
- Treatment or prevention of bronchospasm in adult and pediatric patients aged 4 years and older with reversible obstructive airway disease (e.g., asthma); prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm in adult and pediatric patients aged 4 years and older.
- Class
- Small molecule
- Therapeutic area
- Respiratory
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