Albuterol and epinephrine both have bronchodilation properties that improve the amount of oxygen that a person can inhale and absorb. However, Albuterol is administered only for asthma, whereas epinephrine is administered for both asthma and anaphylaxis. Why is epinephrine, and not Albuterol, the first choice for anaphylaxis?

The correct answer is Albuterol is not a vasoconstrictor.

Explanation:

Anaphylaxis is a dangerous allergic reaction caused by any chemical contained in a medicine or protein antigens that can cause death by suffocation if not treated quickly.

When the immune system is faced with a substance to which the body is allergic, it automatically releases chemicals that cause the allergy. One of these chemicals released is histamine.

In the case of anaphylaxis, the blood pressure drops suddenly, the airways close and extreme vasodilation occurs. Vasodilation is caused by histamine and what it produces is that the blood vessels dilate, and produce an outflow of fluid. If this does not stop immediately, the patient may suffer bronchoconstriction where their bronchial tubes narrow due to histamine.

Albuterol is not vasoconstrictor, that is, it is not able to close these vessels to prevent the passage of fluid, therefore the most appropriate in these cases is to use epinephrine.

This medicine is vasoconstrictor, which will generate a relaxation in the muscles of the airways and narrow the blood vessels.