Expert Pharmacy Insights

Salbutamol vs Levosalbutamol: What the Enantiomer Evidence Actually Shows

Levosalbutamol is purified (R)-salbutamol, and the argument for it is real chemistry: the (S) isomer has minimal beta-2 activity and is cleared up to 12 times more slowly. Two double-blind paediatric trials found better peak flow and oxygen saturation with less tachycardia. But the trials are small, one key adult study was open-label, and guidelines still treat the two as equivalent options. Here is both sides with the numbers.