Albuterol is a compound that belongs to the class of sympathomimetic stimulants (also known as stimulants).
Albuterol is a selective beta-2 adrenergic agonist, a very close sibling to the well-known Clenbuterol, and both perform the exact same role in medicine (primarily for the treatment of asthma).
However, Clenbuterol is primarily an asthma medication used internationally and in Europe, while Albuterol is an asthma medication used only in the United States, though it is also readily available internationally.
Other sympathomimetic stimulants with similar properties include: Caffeine, Albuterol, Ephedrine, Dextroamphetamine, Methamphetamine, Cocaine, Epinephrine, Norepinephrine, among several others.
All of these sympathomimetic stimulants function by acting on various cells and tissues of the nervous system and body through alpha and beta adrenergic receptors.
Albuterol, much like Clenbuterol, acts selectively only on the body’s beta-2 receptors.
Through this action, it is used as an ingredient in asthma inhalers, interacting with the beta-2 receptors on smooth muscle cells, acting directly on the smooth muscle of the bronchial pathways.
The result is bronchodilation (the opening of the airways), allowing one to breathe again after bronchoconstriction or bronchospasms occur due to asthma, allergies, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) [1].
Albuterol can also be administered orally; when taken orally, it exerts systemic effects on the body but takes a long time to act on the bronchial pathways, which is why inhalation is preferred for asthmatics.
Oral Albuterol is the most sought-after variation of Albuterol in the field of bodybuilding and performance-enhancing drugs due to its systemic effects on the body, including fat reduction.
The fat reduction effect is achieved through Albuterol’s action on the beta-2 receptors located on fat cells; this interaction initiates lipolysis (fat breakdown) and releases free fatty acids to be mobilized from the fat cells and consumed as fuel/energy in the body [2].
Interestingly, Albuterol was actually the first selective beta-2 adrenergic agonist ever created, sold under the brand name Ventolin by Allen & Hanburys in 1968 [3].
It was introduced to the US prescription drug market in 1980, becoming the most widely used asthma medication in North America, and it remains widely used in North America today alongside many generic Albuterol products.
Albuterol and Clenbuterol are very closely related, sharing almost identical chemical structures with a few differences.
Albuterol differs from Clenbuterol in its half-life (4-6 hours versus 37 hours, respectively) and in the intensity of some of its effects on the body, with many athletes and bodybuilders reporting that Albuterol is “milder” than Clenbuterol in its various areas of effect.
Beyond this, there are several distinct differences between Clen and Albuterol that should be noted.
The first is the fact that, unlike Clenbuterol which has only demonstrated anabolic properties in animals, Albuterol has been clinically proven to be anabolic in human muscle tissue [4].
Specifically, a study involving human athletes chronically administered Albuterol demonstrated an increase in maximal anaerobic power, regardless of the athletes’ training status! [5]
Animal studies have also shown this, with a study on pigs resulting in a 14% increase in muscle mass and a 25% decrease in fat mass following Albuterol administration [6].
In addition to these significant effects of Albuterol on muscle mass and fat reduction, there are numerous studies demonstrating remarkable effects on fat reduction in both humans and animals [7] [8] [9] [10].
Albuterol Chemical Characteristics
Albuterol belongs to the sympathomimetic amine drug class.
It is a short-acting beta-2 adrenergic receptor agonist, very similar in structure and relation to Clenbuterol.
Albuterol Properties
Albuterol exhibits various effects on the body in different tissues through its interaction with the beta-2 receptors located on the cells of the respective tissues.
As mentioned earlier, these include fat reduction, increased metabolic rate, and slight anabolic effects in muscle tissue.
Fat reduction and slight muscle anabolism are the most sought-after effects by athletes, bodybuilders, and general performance-enhancing drug users.
It is important to note that while Albuterol has been proven to be anabolic in humans, the muscle gains one should expect from Albuterol are not the same as the typical mass and bulk gains from anabolic steroids, especially if the user is in a caloric deficit for the purpose of fat loss.
At best, in such a scenario, Albuterol would aid in preserving muscle tissue during a caloric deficit rather than significantly adding new muscle mass.
Nevertheless, Albuterol is a very promising compound for those seeking fat reduction and/or slight muscle gains (perhaps even more promising than Clenbuterol).
It should be noted anecdotally that many individuals who have experience with Clenbuterol generally claim that the fat-burning properties of Albuterol are slightly less effective than its close sibling, Clenbuterol.
Experiences may vary from individual to individual and user to user.
Albuterol (aka Salbutamol, Ventolin)
| Chemical Name | (RS)-4-[2-(tert-butylamino)-1-hydroxyethyl]-2-(hydroxymethyl)phenol |
| Molecular Weight | 239.311 g/mol |
| Formula | C13H21NO3 |
| Manufacturer | Allen & Hanburys |
| Half-Life | 4 – 6 hours |
| Detection Time | 48 – 72 hours |
| Anabolic Rating | N/A |
| Androgenic Rating | N/A |
Albuterol References
[1] “Albuterol”. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Retrieved April 3, 2011.
[2] Comparison of the effects of salbutamol and clenbuterol on skeletal muscle mass and carcass composition in senescent rats. Carter WJ, Lynch ME (September 1994). Metab. Clin. Exp. 43 (9): 1119–25. doi:10.1016/0026-0495(94)90054-X. PMID 7916118.
[3] Ventolin remains a breath of fresh air for asthma sufferers after 40 years. The Pharmaceutical Journal 279 (7473): 404-405.
[4] Drugs and sport. Research findings and limitations. P M Clarkson, H S Thompson. Department of Exercise Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA. Sports Med. 1997 Dec;24(6):366-84 9421862.
[5] Effects of short-term salbutamol ingestion during a Wingate test. Le Panse B, Collomp K, Portier H, Lecoq AM, Jaffre C, Beaupied H, Richard O, Benhamou L, De Ceaurriz J, Courteix D.. Int J Sports Med. 2005 Sep;26(7):518-23.
[6] Meat quality of pigs administered the beta-adrenergic agonist salbutamol. Warriss PD, Nute GR, Rolph TP, Brown SN, Kestin SC. 1991;30(1):75-80. doi: 10.1016/0309-1740(91)90036-P.
[7] Multiple symmetric lipomatosis (Launois-Bensaude syndrome): effect of oral salbutamol. Leung NW, Geary J, Gower J, Croft DN, Peters TJ. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 1987 Nov;27(5):601-6.
[8] Beta2-adrenergic receptor polymorphisms and salbutamol-stimulated energy expenditure. Oomen JM, van Rossum CT, Hoebee B, Saris WH, van Baak MA. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2005 Apr;90(4):2301-7. Epub 2005 Feb 1.
[9] Reduction of visceral fat is associated with the improvement of vascular endothelial dysfunction in obese women: a study of endothelial function by radial artery pulse wave analysis. Park SH, Shim KW. 2005 Aug 31;46(4):511-8.
[10] Beta-adrenergic stimulation of lipolysis in equine adipocytes is exclusively through beta 2 subtypes and is not affected by lactation. Carrington EF, Desautels M, Naylor JM. 2003 Oct;136(2):311-20.
