What is albuterol?
Albuterol is a bronchodilator used to relax muscles in the airways and encourage airflow to and from the lungs. This medication is primarily prescribed to people who have been diagnosed with asthma or lung conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that cause obstructed airflow to the lungs.
Common symptoms of these lung conditions include:
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Difficulty breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness
Albuterol helps loosen airways in the respiratory system (like the bronchi and trachea), to prevent these symptoms and relieve them if they occur.
It is important to note that albuterol does not cure asthma or lung disease. Instead, it is used to manage symptoms associated with these conditions.