Albuterol is the generic name for
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Albuterol: Understanding Its Generic Name and Equivalents
Albuterol as a Generic Name
Albuterol is widely recognized as the generic name for a medication used to treat conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It functions as a bronchodilator, helping to relax muscles in the airways and increase airflow to the lungs. The term "generic name" refers to the standard name of the drug, which is not protected by trademark and can be used by any manufacturer.
Albuterol Sulfate HFA: Brand and Generic Confusion
A common misconception is that any drug marketed without a proprietary (brand) name is automatically a generic drug. This is not always the case. For instance, albuterol sulfate HFA, manufactured by IVAX, was approved without a proprietary name, leading some to mistakenly assume it was a generic version of other albuterol sulfate HFA products like Proventil HFA and Ventolin HFA1. This highlights the importance of understanding that the absence of a trade name does not necessarily indicate a generic drug.
Bioequivalence of Generic Albuterol Inhalers
The bioequivalence of generic albuterol metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) to branded versions like Ventolin has been a subject of study. Research involving a randomized, double-blind, crossover design demonstrated that the generic albuterol MDI delivers a quantity of albuterol to the beta(2)-receptor site in the lung that is bioequivalent to Ventolin2. This study used histamine bronchoprovocation and bioassay statistical procedures to confirm that the generic MDI's efficacy is comparable to that of the branded Ventolin MDI, reinforcing the validity of these methods for determining in vivo bioequivalence2.
Conclusion
Albuterol is the generic name for a medication commonly used to treat respiratory conditions. While it is often assumed that drugs without a proprietary name are generic, this is not always true, as seen with albuterol sulfate HFA. Studies have confirmed that generic albuterol MDIs are bioequivalent to branded versions like Ventolin, ensuring that patients receive the same therapeutic benefits regardless of the brand. Understanding these nuances is crucial for both healthcare providers and patients to make informed decisions about their medications.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
The absence of a trade name does not equal a generic drug
The absence of a trade name does not necessarily equal a generic drug, and therapeutically equivalent products may not be interchangeable.
Demonstration of in vivo bioequivalence of a generic albuterol metered-dose inhaler to Ventolin.
The generic albuterol metered-dose inhaler is bioequivalent to Ventolin, delivering a quantity of albuterol to the lung beta(2)-receptor site equivalent to Ventolin.
RCTAlbuterol/budesonide for the treatment of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in patients with asthma: the TYREE study.
A single dose of albuterol/budesonide 180/160 g taken 30 minutes before exercise significantly reduces exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in asthma patients compared to placebo.
RCTLevalbuterol versus albuterol
Levalbuterol has no clear superiority over racemic albuterol for treating acute asthma exacerbations, but its effects may be greater in moderate to severe patients.
Albuterol: An Adrenergic Agent for Use in the Treatment of Asthma Pharmacology, Pharmacokinetics and Clinical Use
Albuterol is an effective and safe treatment for acute asthma, with aerosolized inhalation being the best option for first-line management.
Highly CitedAlbuterol-Budesonide Fixed-Dose Combination Rescue Inhaler for Asthma.
A fixed-dose combination of 180 g of albuterol and 160 g of budesonide significantly reduces the risk of severe asthma exacerbation compared to albuterol alone in patients with uncontrolled moderate-to-severe asthma.
RCT
Large Human Trial
Rigorous JournalEfficacy of albuterol in the management of bronchiolitis.
Albuterol is as effective as oral placebo in managing bronchiolitis in infants, with past studies not considering change in infant state and using a truly inactive placebo group.
RCTHighly CitedEvaluation of a generic albuterol metered-dose inhaler: importance of priming the MDI.
Primed generic albuterol metered-dose inhalers may deliver more drug and have a more therapeutic effect than unprimed Ventolin MDIs.
RCTAlbuterol HFA for the management of obstructive airway disease
Albuterol HFA inhalers maintain the same bronchodilator efficacy and safety profile as CFC-based ones, while using HFA-134a propellants without affecting the ozone layer.
Albuterol protects against exercise-induced asthma longer than metaproterenol sulfate.
Albuterol has a longer duration of action in preventing exercise-induced asthma than metaproterenol sulfate, but both medications are equally effective in preventing exercise-induced bronchospasm in asthmatic children.
RCT