Generic

Salbutamol

Indications

Salbutamol is a bronchodilator that can be used to treat Asthma, Chronic Bronchitis, Emphysema, and other illnesses that cause airway obstruction.

Pharmacology

Salbutamol is a beta-2 adrenergic sympathomimetic substance that has been synthesized. Salbutamol causes bronchodilation by stimulating beta-2 adrenergic receptors in bronchial smooth muscles, producing bronchial muscle fiber relaxation. Spirometric measurements show an improvement in pulmonary function as a result of this activity.

Dosage & Administration

Salbutamol tablet or syrup-
Children:

• 2-6 years: 2.5 ml syrup, 3-4 times daily
• 6-12 years: 5 ml syrup, 3-4 times daily
• Over 12 years: 5-10 ml syrup, 3-4 times daily (2-4 mg tablet, 3-4 times daily)

Adults: 2-4 mg tablet, 3-4 times daily. The maximum single dose is 8 mg tablet.

Salbutamol Respirator Solution: To be used with a suitable nebulizer device under the direction of a physician. The solution must not be injected or ingested.

Method-1 (Intermittent Administration):

• Adults (and the elderly): 0.5 ml-1.0 ml salbutamol up to four times a day. Up to 40mg per day can be given under strict medical direction in the hospital. 0.5-1 ml solution should be diluted to a final volume of 2-4 ml with sterile normal saline solution. It will take time about 10 minutes.
• Salbutamol respiratory solution may be used undiluted for intermittent administration. For this 2.0 ml of the solution is placed in the nebulizer and the patient is allowed to inhale until bronchodilation is achieved. This usually takes 3-5 minutes.
• Children under 12 years of age: 0.5 ml of the solution diluted to 2.0-4.0 ml with normal saline. Some children may however require higher doses of up to 1.0 ml of the solution. Intermittent treatment may be repeated four times a day.

Method-2 (Continuous administration): 1-2 ml solution is diluted to make up to 100 ml with normal saline solution. The diluted solution is administered by a suitable nebulizer device. When there is a risk of anoxia through hypoventilation, oxygen should be added to the inspired air.

Salbutamol nebulizer solution: To be used with a suitable nebulizer device under the direction of a physician. The solution must not be injected or ingested.

• Adults & Elderly: 2.5 mg to 5 mg Salbutamol up to 4 times a day. Up to 40 mg/day may be given under strict medical direction in the hospital.
• Children under 12 years: 2.5 mg up to 4 times a day. A higher dose of up to 5 mg four times a day may be used if required.

Salbutamol injection:
Adults:

• Salbutamol I.V. infusion solution is used to prepare a solution for continuous intravenous infusion. It should not be injected undiluted. A suitable solution for infusion may be prepared by diluting 5 mL of Salbutamol I.V. infusion solution (1000 mcg/mL) in 500 mL of a chosen i.v. the solution to provide a salbutamol concentration of 10 mcg/mL.
• The only recommended diluents are Sodium Chloride Injection, or Sodium Chloride and Dextrose Injection.
• Infusion rates providing 3 to 20 micrograms of salbutamol/minute (0.3 to 2ml/minute of the above infusion solution) are usually adequate. Infusion rates can be started at 5 mcg of salbutamol/min., and can be increased to 10 mcg/min., and 20 mcg/min. at 15 – 30 minute intervals, if necessary.
• As with all parenteral drug products, intravenous admixtures should be inspected visually for clarity, particulate matter, precipitate, discoloration, and leakage prior to administration.
• All unused admixtures of Salbutamol infusion solution with infusion fluids should be discarded 24 hours after preparation.

Children and Adolescents (<18 years of age): The dosage of Salbutamol infusion solution in the pediatric age group has not been established. At present, there are insufficient data to recommend a dosage regimen for children.

Salbutamol Inhalation Capsule:

• Adults: For the relief of bronchospasm and for managing intermittent episodes of asthma, one or two inhalation capsule may be administered as a single dose. The usual recommended dosage of Salbutamol inhalation capsule for inhalation for adults for maintenance or prophylactic therapy is the contents of one 200 microgram capsule every 4 to 6 hours using a device. In some patients, the contents of two 200 microgram capsules inhaled every 4 to 6 hours may be required. Large doses or more frequent administration is not recommended. The use of salbutamol powder for inhalation can be continued as medically indicated to control recurring/intermittent episodes of bronchospasm.
• Children: One Salbutamol inhalation capsule is the recommended dose for relief of acute bronchospasm in the maintenance of episodic asthma or before exercise of children 4 years of age and older. One inhalation should be administered three or four times a day for routine maintenance or prophylactic therapy. This dosage may be increased to the inhalation of two inhalation capsules, if necessary. The bronchodilator effect of each administration of inhaled Salbutamol inhalation capsule lasts for at least four hours. Such patients should be warned not to increase the dose of inhalers but should seek medical advice immediately.

Excercise-induced Asthma:

• Adults: 400 micrograms
• Child: 200 micrograms, 15-30 minutes prior to any physical exertion.

Side Effects

Fine tremors of skeletal muscles (especially in the hands), palpitations, and muscle cramps are all possible side effects of salbutamol. Large doses have been linked to tachycardia, tenseness, headaches, and peripheral vasodilation.

Pregnancy & Lactation

Only if the possible benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus should the medicine be used during pregnancy. This medication is not known to be excreted in human milk. Because of the possibility for tumorigenicity revealed in some animal studies for Salbutamol, a decision should be made whether to stop breastfeeding or stop taking the medicine, taking into account the drug’s relevance to the mother.

Precautions & Warnings

In patients with hyperthyroidism, cardiovascular illness, occlusive vascular diseases, hypertension, or aneurysms, salbutamol should be administered with caution. Hypokalemia caused by excessive dosages of Salbutamol may make you more vulnerable to digitalis-induced cardiac arrhythmia. With long-term usage of large doses, tachyphylaxis with resistance may develop. Patients with diabetes mellitus or closed-angle glaucoma, as well as those on hypertension medication, must be treated with caution.

Therapeutic Class

Short-acting selective & β2-adrenoceptor stimulants

Storage Conditions

Pharmaceutical Name

ACI Limited