The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 279 No 7473 p404-405
13 October 2007

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Ventolin remains a breath of fresh air for asthma sufferers, after 40 years

In the first article in a series on landmark drugs, Jenny Bryan retells the history of Ventolin and explains why it still plays a major role in the treatment of asthma

Landmark drugs series

SUMMARY

When Allen & Hanburys launched the first selective Β₂-receptor agonist, Ventolin (salbutamol), in 1968, the drug was an instant success. With asthma mortality peaking at over 2,000 deaths per year in the mid 1960s, an effective broncho-dilator that specifically targeted the Β₂-receptors of the lungs was immediately seen as an important advance.

“There was precious little before Ventolin for routine bronchodilation,” recalls Tim Clark, professor of pulmonary medicine at the National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College, London.

“We used isoprenaline, but its lack of selectivity for bronchial smooth muscle meant that it caused tachycardia and there was concern that it could be linked with the asthma deaths.

“The only other drugs we had to treat asthma symptoms were adrenaline and aminophylline for severe asthma, and theophylline and ephedrine for chronic asthma. Other preparations for chronic asthma included sedatives such as barbiturates,” he explains.

“So there were great expectations for Ventolin because it was a good bronchodilator, it lasted longer than isoprenaline and it didn’t have the cardiac side effects. It was hoped that Ventolin would be of great use for both acute and chronic asthma.”

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