A beta-adrenergic stimulant used as a bronchodilator in the treatment of asthma and other obstructive lung diseases.
ETYMOLOGY:
Probably alteration of earlier salbutamol (influenced by al(cohol) and and perhaps ter(tiary)) : sal(icyl), the radical of salicylic acid (from French salicyle; see salicylic acid) + but(yl) + am(ine) + ol1.