Albuterol pharmacokinetics and molecular data

Pharmacokinetics
Mechanism Comparison to isoproterenol Absorption Excretion

Mechanism
In vitro studies and in vivo pharmacologic studies have demonstrated that Albuterol has a preferential effect on beta2-adrenergic receptors compared with isoproterenol. While it is recognized that beta2-adrenergic receptors are the predominant receptors in bronchial smooth muscle, data indicate that there is a population of beta2-receptors in the human heart existing in a concentration between 10% and 50%. The precise function of these receptors has not been established. The pharmacologic effects of beta-adrenergic agonist drugs, including Albuterol, are at least in part attributable to stimulation through beta-adrenergic receptors of intracellular adenyl cyclase, the enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to cyclic-3',5'- adenosine monophosphate (cyclic AMP). Increased cyclic AMP levels are associated with relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle and inhibition of release of mediators of immediate hypersensitivity from cells, especially from mast cells. Return to top

Comparison to isoproterenol
Albuterol has been shown in most controlled clinical trials to have more effect on the respiratory tract, in the form of bronchial smooth muscle relaxation, than isoproterenol at comparable doses while producing fewer cardiovascular effects. Albuterol is longer acting than isoproterenol in most patients by any route of administration because it is not a substrate for the cellular uptake processes for catecholamines nor for catechol-O-methyl transferase. Return to top

Absorption
Albuterol is rapidly absorbed after oral administration of one 4 mg Albuterol tablet in normal volunteers. Maximum plasma concentrations of about 18 ng/mL of Albuterol are achieved within 2 hours, and the drug is eliminated with a half-life of about 5 hours. Return to top

Excretion
In other studies, the analysis of urine samples of patients given 8 mg of tritiated Albuterol orally showed that 76% of the dose was excreted over 3 days, with the majority of the dose being excreted within the first 24 hours. Sixty percent of this radioactivity was shown to be the metabolite. Feces collected over this period contained 4% of the administered dose. Return to top