The decomposition of salbutamol sulphate (albuterol sulphate) was studied in

the pH range 1.9-8.8 at 65.degree. C. The decomposed salbutamol sulphate

solutions were discoloured and contained a precipitate. Depending on the pH
of the solution, one to four major and several minor decomposition products
were formed. The rate of decomposition was followed by RP-HPLC with UV
detection. The decomposition of salbutamol in aqueous solution obeyed
apparent first-order kinetics with respect to salbutamol sulphate. The reaction
rate increased with increasing initial drug concentration and elevated
temperatures. The maximum stability of salbutamol in aqueous solution
occurred at a pH of about 3.5.