What is the Difference Between Formoterol and Albuterol

The key difference between formoterol and albuterol is that formoterol is a long-acting beta-2 agonist with a duration of action of around 12 hours, whereas albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist with a duration of action ranging from 4 to 6 hours.

Formoterol is a medication that is important as a bronchodilator in managing asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Albuterol is commonly named salbutamol, and it is a medication useful in opening up the medium and large airways in the lungs.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Formoterol
3. What is Albuterol
4. Formoterol and Albuterol in Tabular Form
5. Summary – Formoterol vs Albuterol

What is Formoterol?

Formoterol is a medication that is important as a bronchodilator in managing asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is also known as eformoterol. Moreover, this drug can show a long-lasting activity as a beta-2 agonist.

In comparison to most of the short-acting beta-2 agonists such as salbutamol (duration of action is about 4 – 6hours), formoterol shows an extended duration of action which can be extended up to 12 hours. This medication is important as a symptom controller for supplementing prophylactic corticosteroid therapy. However, when treating acute asthma, a short-acting beta-2 agonist such as salbutamol is still required because the formoterol drug is usually not recommended.

When considering the side effects of formoterol, it can worsen the wheezing symptoms in some patients; however, there are no other considerable side effects. The most common long-lasting beta-2 agonists other than formoterol include salmeterol, formoterol, bambuterol, and sustain-released oral salbutamol. The protein binding ability of this medication is around 61 – 64%, and the metabolism occurs in the liver while excretion occurs in the kidney and through fecal matter. The elimination half-life of this medication is about 10 hours.

The trade names of this medication include Oxeze, Foradil, etc. The routes of administration include inhalation or capsules for oral inhalation.

What is Albuterol (Salbutamol)?

Albuterol is commonly known as salbutamol, and it is a medication useful in opening up the medium and large airways in the lungs. The brand name of this medication is Ventolin. It is categorized as a short-acting beta-adrenergic receptor agonist that can work by causing relaxation of airway smooth muscle. This medication is useful in treating asthma. Moreover, it can treat high blood potassium levels. However, it is usually used with an inhaler or a nebulizer. It is also available in forms such as pills, liquid form, and intravenous solutions.

Common trade names of this medication include Ventolin, Proventil, ProAir, etc. The routes of administration include oral administration, inhalation, and intravenous routes. The drug class of this medication is antiasthmatic agents. The metabolism of albuterol occurs in the liver while the excretion occurs in the kidney. The duration of action is typically 4 – 6 hours. The elimination half-life is about 3.8 – 6 hours.

Some side effects of using albuterol include shakiness, headache, fast heart rate, dizziness, and feeling anxiety. However, there can be some serious side effects as well, which may include worsening bronchospasm, irregular heartbeat, and low potassium levels in the blood.

What is the Difference Between Formoterol and Albuterol?

Formoterol and albuterol are important beta-2 agonist compounds. The key difference between formoterol and albuterol is that formoterol is a long-acting beta-2 agonist with a duration of action of around 12 hours, whereas albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist with a duration of action ranging from 4 to 6 hours.

The below infographic presents the differences between formoterol and albuterol in tabular form for side by side comparison.

Summary – Formoterol vs Albuterol

Both formoterol and albuterol are important in treating lung-related diseases. The key difference between formoterol and albuterol is that formoterol is a long-acting beta-2 agonist with a duration of action of around 12 hours, whereas albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist with a duration of action ranging from 4 to 6 hours.

Reference:

1. “Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing.”Webmd.Com.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Formoterol” By Klaus Hoffmeier – (R,R)-(−)-formoterol on PubChem(S,S)-(+)-formoterol on PubChem (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Salbutamol” By Klaus Hoffmeier – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia