The key difference between Ventolin and Zempreon is that Ventolin contains salbutamol, whereas Zempreon contains salbutamol sulfate.
Ventolin and Zempreon are two types of medication used to ease chest pain in lung-related diseases. Both these are commonly used as inhalers or nebulizers. But Ventolin is also available as pills, liquids, etc. They have similar effectiveness and mode of action.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Ventolin
3. What is Zempreon
4. Ventolin vs Zempreon in Tabular Form
5. Summary – Ventolin vs Zempreon
What is Ventolin?
Ventolin is the brand name of salbutamol, which is also known as albuterol. It is a medication that can open up medium and large airways in the lungs. It is a short-acting beta-2-adrenergic receptor agonist that can work by causing the relaxation of airway smooth muscles. Moreover, this medication is useful in treating asthma attacks, exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This medication is also useful in treating high blood potassium levels.
Figure 01: The Chemical Structure of Ventolin
Typically, Ventolin is administered with an inhaler or nebulizer. However, it can also be found in pill form, liquid form, and intravenous solution form. Generally, the onset of action of the inhaled version is within 15 minutes and can last for two to six hours.
There can be some side effects of Ventolin, such as shakiness, headache, fast heart rate, dizziness, and feeling anxious. However, there can also be some serious side effects, including worsening bronchospasm, irregular heartbeats, and low blood potassium levels. Moreover, this medication can be used during pregnancy, but its safety is not 100% clear. Metabolism of Ventolin occurs in the liver, and its elimination half-life can be given as 3.8 – 6 hours. The excretion occurs through the kidney.
The chemical formula of Ventolin is C13H21NO3. Its molar mass is 239.315 g/mol. It occurs as a racemic mixture of chiral compounds. The enantiomers it has are the (R)-(-)-enantiomer and the (S)-(+)-enantiomer. The former is responsible for the pharmacological activity, while the latter can block metabolic pathways that are associated with the elimination of itself and of the pharmacologically active R enantiomer.
What is Zempreon?
Zempreon is the brand name for salbutamol sulfate, which is a medication used to ease breathing. This medication is called a reliever puffer. There are other types of puffers that can prevent wheezing and chest lightness. These are known as preventer puffers.
When the chest is tight, and when one experiences wheezing, Zempreon can open up the breathing tubes in the lungs. Therefore, this medication is known as a bronchodilator. Since it gives fast relief from chest symptoms, we call it a reliever.
When doing exercise, some people start wheezing, or the chest starts to feel tight. We call it exercise-induced asthma. When this happens, the doctor might advise taking one or two puffs of Zempreon medicine before exercising. This can help prevent the symptoms of exercise-induced asthma.
What is the Difference Between Ventolin and Zempreon?
Ventolin and Zempreon are two important types of salbutamol that are useful in relieving the chest when the chest is tightened. The key difference between Ventolin and Zempreon is that Ventolin contains salbutamol, whereas Zempreon contains salbutamol sulfate. The mode of administration of Ventolin includes inhalation, nebulization, pill form, liquid form, and intravenous solution form whereas the mode of administration of Zempreon includes inhalation as a puffer.
The below infographic presents the differences between Ventolin and Zempreon in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Ventolin vs Zempreon
Ventolin and Zempreon are two types of medication used to ease chest in lung-related diseases. The key difference between Ventolin and Zempreon is that Ventolin contains salbutamol, whereas Zempreon contains salbutamol sulfate.
Reference:
1. “Ventolin HFA Aerosol With Adapter – Uses, Side Effects, and More.” WEBMD.
2. “Brand name: Zempreon Inhaler TM” Health Direct.gov.au.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Salbutamol” By Klaus Hoffmeier – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia