Isocarboxazid
Severe
Textbook
Increased risk of adverse cardiovascular effects.
At least 2 weeks should elapse between the use of MAO inhibitors and administration of β2 agonists or other sympathomimetics.
Source: G&G 14e · p264
Drug reference
albuterol
Short-Acting β2 Agonist · Bronchodilator
Short-Acting β2 AgonistBronchodilatorATC R03AC02
CDSCO approvedATC R03AC02
EXCRETION
—
not curated
INTERACTIONS
7 major
SEVERE in our sources
PREGNANCY
—
not curated
Top interactionssee all 9 →
- IsocarboxazidSevereTextbookG&G 14e · p264
- MoclobemideSevereTextbookG&G 14e · p264
- PhenelzineSevereTextbookG&G 14e · p264
- ProcarbazineSevereTextbookG&G 14e · p264
Mechanism
Albuterol is a selective β2 adrenergic receptor agonist that causes relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle.
Indications
symptomatic relief of bronchospasmdelay preterm labor (oral, potential use)acute asthma symptoms (short-acting rescue)Asthma (on demand for symptom control)Acute severe asthma
Pharmacokinetics
Onset
within 15 min (inhalation)
Duration
~3-4 h
Bioavailability
PO, R: 30 ± 7%; PO, S: 71 ± 9%; IH, R: 25%; IH, S: 47%
Protein binding
effects persist for 3 to 4 h (inhalation)
Excretion
R: 46 ± 8%; S: 55 ± 11%
Side effects
Common
skeletal muscle tremorMuscle tremorTachycardiaPalpitationstremorhypertensionhypokalemia
Serious
- CNS side effects (rare)
- respiratory side effects (rare)
- Hypokalemia
- Ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) mismatch (fall in arterial oxygen tension)
- Metabolic effects (increase in free fatty acid, insulin, glucose, pyruvate, and lactate)
- type B (nonhypoxic) lactic acidosis
Drug interactions
Moclobemide
Severe
Textbook
Increased risk of adverse cardiovascular effects.
At least 2 weeks should elapse between the use of MAO inhibitors and administration of β2 agonists or other sympathomimetics.
Source: G&G 14e · p264
Phenelzine
Severe
Textbook
Increased risk of adverse cardiovascular effects.
At least 2 weeks should elapse between the use of MAO inhibitors and administration of β2 agonists or other sympathomimetics.
Source: G&G 14e · p264
Procarbazine
Severe
Textbook
Increased risk of adverse cardiovascular effects.
At least 2 weeks should elapse between the use of MAO inhibitors and administration of β2 agonists or other sympathomimetics.
Source: G&G 14e · p264
Rasagiline
Severe
Textbook
Increased risk of adverse cardiovascular effects.
At least 2 weeks should elapse between the use of MAO inhibitors and administration of β2 agonists or other sympathomimetics.
Source: G&G 14e · p264
Selegiline
Severe
Textbook
Increased risk of adverse cardiovascular effects.
At least 2 weeks should elapse between the use of MAO inhibitors and administration of β2 agonists or other sympathomimetics.
Source: G&G 14e · p264
Tranylcypromine
Severe
Textbook
Increased risk of adverse cardiovascular effects.
At least 2 weeks should elapse between the use of MAO inhibitors and administration of β2 agonists or other sympathomimetics.
Source: G&G 14e · p264
Corticosteroids
Moderate
Textbook
Enhanced beneficial effects in asthma therapy for both drugs.
Source: G&G 14e · p887
Digoxin
Moderate
Textbook
Hypokalemia, which could predispose to cardiac arrhythmias, especially in patients with cardiac disease.
Use with caution.
Source: G&G 14e · p264
Related guidelines
Other Short-Acting β2 Agonist drugs
Ask House about albuterol
Continue into a citation-backed clinical answer with the drug context already attached.
Sources: Goodman & Gilman 14e, Harrison 22e·Verified: 2026-05-13 · House clinical team