Final answer:
Salbutamol (albuterol) has a shorter duration of action, suitable for quick relief of bronchospasm, while formoterol is a long-acting medication used for maintenance treatment of asthma with effects that last up to 12 hours.
Step-by-step explanation:
The comparison between salbutamol and formoterol in terms of duration of action is that salbutamol has a shorter duration of action while formoterol has a longer duration of action. Salbutamol, also known as albuterol in the United States, is a short-acting β2-adrenoreceptor agonist used for the relief of bronchospasm in conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It typically has an onset of action within 5 minutes and its effects usually last for about 4 to 6 hours. On the other hand, formoterol is a long-acting β2-agonist (LABA) with a duration of action that typically extends up to 12 hours, making it suitable for the maintenance treatment of asthma and to prevent bronchospasm in people with reversible obstructive airway disease.