Comparison of drugs Berodual and Salbutamol | What’s better

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On According to According to the Russian Respiratory Society, at least 300 million people worldwide suffer from bronchial asthma. In Russia, in 2018, the prevalence of the disease among adults is 6,9%, and in children it reaches 10%. Clinically pronounced bronchial asthma reduces the quality of life, interferes with full-fledged work and study, and affects many other areas.

In the treatment of bronchial asthma, bronchodilators are traditionally used – drugs that dilate the bronchi and make breathing easier. Representatives of this group include Berodual and Salbutamol. What is the difference between these tools and what to look for when choosing, we will tell in the article.

Both drugs are available by prescription.

Indications for use

Berodual and Salbutamol are prescribed for the treatment of bronchial asthma. With this disease, chronic inflammation develops in the airways, bronchospasm occurs, and breathing becomes difficult. During an attack, the patient cannot breathe, there may be shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing. To relieve an attack, drugs are used that expand the bronchi – bronchodilators.

According to accepted clinical guidelines, bronchodilators (β₂-adrenomimetics) short-acting drugs are used as first-line drugs for the relief of an attack of bronchial asthma. They are used as a remedy that acts quickly, but not for long, with any severity of the course of the disease. With a mild form of bronchial asthma, this is enough – the attacks are repeated infrequently and proceed easily. As the disease progresses, other drugs are added to bronchodilators that must be taken constantly (even if there are no symptoms).

For emergency care in bronchial asthma assigned and Salbutamol, and Berodual. The choice of drug will depend on individual tolerability and the severity of the clinical effect. As a rule, Salbutamol is used in the initial stages of the development of the disease. If there is no effect, the doctor may suggest switching to the combined Berodual.

Bronchodilators are used not only for bronchial asthma. Berodual and Salbutamol are also prescribed for other respiratory diseases accompanied by bronchial obstruction – for example, for COPD, chronic bronchitis, emphysema. Bronchodilators are indicated for children with obstructive bronchitis.

In obstetric practice, Salbutamol is used for the threat of premature birth. The drug inhibits the contractile activity of the uterus and helps to prolong pregnancy.

How Bronchodilators Treat Asthma

The action of drugs is determined by their composition.

Salbutamol

Salbutamol is β₂– adrenomimetic. It works via β₂-adrenergic receptors located in the bronchi, blood vessels and muscular layer of the uterus. By stimulating the receptors, it activates the intracellular enzyme adenylate cyclase and relaxes the smooth muscles of the bronchi. It also prevents the release of histamine, a substance responsible for the development of an allergic reaction. Unlike other drugs in this group, Salbutamol has a much weaker effect on the myocardium and is therefore better tolerated.

When inhaled, only 10-20% of the drug reaches the small bronchi and relieves spasm. Part of the dose enters the digestive tract when the drug is swallowed and is gradually absorbed into the blood. It acts quickly – 5-15 minutes after application, and therefore is used as an emergency remedy. In the peripheral blood, the active substance circulates for 3-9 hours, after which its concentration decreases.

Berodual

The composition of the combined preparation includes the following components:

1. Ipratropium bromide – M-anticholinergic. It acts mainly locally: it inhibits vagus nerve reflexes, prevents acetylcholine from working, and relaxes the smooth muscles of the bronchi. The drug also improves lung function and increases blood oxygenation. However, it does not affect the secretion of mucus in the respiratory tract.

2. Fenoterol hydrobromide – β₂– adrenomimetic. In low doses, it acts like Salbutamol – blocks receptors and relaxes the bronchi. At high doses, it binds to β₁-receptors, which explains the high incidence of side effects in overdose of the drug.

3. The combined drug acts quickly, therefore it is also used in the emergency treatment of bronchial asthma. When inhaled, only 10-39% of the drug enters the small respiratory tract. Part of the active components is absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of drugs

Find out what they write about drugs in the scientific literature.

Salbutamol

In the federal clinical guidelines Salbutamol declared as a first-line agent for the relief of acute attacks of bronchial asthma. It is used for any course of the disease – from mild to severe. The drug does not replace the basic therapy of bronchial asthma, but is used only as a drug that quickly relieves an attack. With a mild course of bronchial asthma, this is enough; in difficult situations, hormonal preparations are connected.

Berodual

Berodual has long been known to therapists and pulmonologists. Medical Literature Review shows: the drug really relaxes the bronchi, relieves suffocation and improves the condition already in 15 minutes after application. Therefore, in many sources, Berodual is declared as first aid drug with an acute attack of bronchial asthma.

Research carried out in recent years showedthat Berodual works well in any form – both as an aerosol and through a nebulizer. However, in the latter case, it acts faster and expands the bronchi better. Therefore, in a severe attack of bronchial asthma, it is preferable to use Berodual through a nebulizer.

Berodual has proven itself not only as a means of first aid. In particular, the drug is used in pulmonology in therapy chronic obstructive bronchitis.

Application Scheme

Salbutamol and Berodual in the form of an aerosol are prescribed for the relief of symptoms of bronchial asthma – one inhalation each. If necessary, repeat after 15 minutes. For the prevention of bronchospasm – for example, with expected contact with an allergen, before physical activity – 1-2 inhalations are used.

Berodual in the form of a solution for inhalation is used only in a hospital and under the supervision of a physician. The dosage of the drug depends on the severity of the patient’s condition.

Adverse Reactions

Salbutamol is a single drug, it is better tolerated, but can cause such undesirable symptoms:

1. cardiopalmus;

2. headache;

3. nausea and vomiting;

4. tremor of the hands;

5. decrease in the level of potassium in the blood;

6. allergic reaction.

Rarely, paradoxical bronchospasm develops during therapy.

Berodual most often leads to coughing, dry mouth and headache. Against the background of therapy, dizziness, nausea, hand tremors, nervousness and increased blood pressure are also often observed. There are rare reactions from the internal organs and the nervous system.

Противопоказания

Salbutamol is not used in children under two years of age and with identified individual intolerance. With caution – with heart rhythm disturbances, arterial hypertension, heart defects and other diseases of the cardiovascular system.

Berodual is not used for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and tachyarrhythmia. With caution – with diseases of the heart and blood vessels, diabetes, urolithiasis.

Bronchodilators are not recommended during pregnancy. It is allowed to use Salbutamol in the I and II trimesters, but only if there is no threat of miscarriage. In the III trimester, the drug is allowed if there are no complications (preeclampsia, premature detachment of the placenta, bleeding).

Berodual is used from the second trimester of pregnancy if its potential benefit outweighs the possible harm.

During lactation, both drugs are not prescribed.

Conclusions

To sum up:

1. Salbutamol and Berodual are drugs that dilate the bronchi. They are used to stop an acute attack of bronchial asthma and in some other respiratory diseases.

2. The drugs differ in composition, but are similar in mechanism of action. Salbutamol contains only one component. The action of Berodual is due to two similar substances in its composition.

3. Salbutamol is easier to tolerate, Berodual often causes adverse reactions.

Both drugs have been clinically tested and proven to be effective.

Attention! This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.