albuterol

noun al·bu·te·rol \ al-ˈbyü-tə-ˌrȯl , -ˌrōl \

Definition of albuterol

: a drug C₁₃H₂₁NO₃ used to treat asthma as an aerosol or as the sulfate in tablet form

Recent Examples of albuterol from the Web

The drone prototypes that Subbarao and his colleagues are working on could carry a variety of equipment, as well as medicines such as epinephrine, naloxone, and albuterol.

— tom avril, Philly.com, "In hurricanes and mass shootings, drones to the rescue?," 10 Oct. 2017
As examples, advocates point to price increases in the injectors for the heroin antidote Naloxone, albuterol-sulfate that is commonly used to treat asthma, and EpiPens that treat severe allergic reactions.

— erin cox, baltimoresun.com, "Drug firms challenge Maryland price-gouging law," 6 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'albuterol.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of albuterol

perhaps from salicyl (radical of salicylic acid) + but(yl) + ¹ter(tiary) + ¹-ol

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1972

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

albuterol

noun al·bu·te·rol \ al-ˈbyü-tə-ˌrȯl, -ˌrōl \

medical Definition of albuterol

: a beta-agonist bronchodilator that is administered in the form of its sulfate (C₁₃H₂₁NO₃)₂·H₂SO₄ as an inhalational aerosol or as a tablet to treat bronchospasm associated especially with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease — called also salbutamol; see combivent, proventil, ventolin