Question

Bambuterol is a prodrug of

• A. Salmeterol
• B. Terbutaline
• C. Albuterol
• D. Theophylline

Hint:

Prodrugs are pharmacologically inactive compounds that are metabolized in the body to release the active drug; bambuterol is a classic example used for sustained β₂-agonist activity.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Bambuterol itself has little direct bronchodilator effect; its job is to release an active drug slowly after being metabolized. The question is asking which drug that is.

1. Salmeterol: An independent long-acting beta-2 agonist with its own structure, not a metabolite of bambuterol.
2. Terbutaline: Liver and plasma enzymes break down bambuterol's carbamate groups gradually, releasing terbutaline over an extended period. This slow release is why bambuterol lasts through the day even though terbutaline alone wears off quickly.
3. Albuterol: A separate short-acting beta-2 agonist, chemically unconnected to bambuterol.
4. Theophylline: Acts through phosphodiesterase inhibition rather than beta-2 receptors, and is not linked to bambuterol at all.

The compound bambuterol slowly converts into in the body is terbutaline.

So the correct answer is Terbutaline.