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1. Salbutamol
Salbutamol inhalers are safe and effective with few
side effects if you use them as advised by your
doctor, pharmacistor nurse.
Salbutamol inhalers are called 'reliever' inhalers
because they give you quick relief from breathing problems as required, only
when you need them. In most cases, you will be given another inhaler to
'prevent' your symptoms and you should use this regularly every day.
Conditions used for : Asthma, Other conditions associated with
reversible airways obstruction
Before using a Salbutamol inhaler
Some medicinesare notsuitableforpeople withcertainconditions,andsometimesamedicinemay
onlybe usedif extracare istaken.For these reasons,before youstartusingasalbutamol inhaleritis
importantthatyour doctor knows:
If you are pregnant,tryingfora babyor breast-feeding.Thisisbecause itisparticularlyimportant
that yourbreathingiswell controlledif youare pregnant.
If youhave an overactive thyroidgland.
If youhave heart or bloodvessel problems,orif youhave an irregularheartbeat.
If youhave highbloodpressure.
If youhave diabetes(highsugarlevelsinyourblood).
If youare takingany othermedicines.Thisincludesanymedicinesyouare takingwhichare
available tobuywithoutaprescription,aswell asherbal andcomplementarymedicines.
SIDE EFFECTS

2. Indications and dose
ForSALBUTAMOL
Asthma,
Other conditions associated with reversible airways obstruction
By mouth using immediate-release medicines
 For Adult
4 mg 3–4 times a day, maximum single dose 8 mg (but unlikely to provide much extra
benefit or to be tolerated), inhalation route preferred over oral route, use elderly dose
for sensitive patients.
 For Elderly
Initially 2 mg 3–4 times a day, maximum single dose 8 mg (but unlikely to provide
much extra benefit or to be tolerated), inhalation route preferred over oral route.
By subcutaneous injection, or by intramuscular injection
 For Adult
500 micrograms every 4 hours if required.
By slow intravenous injection
 For Adult
250 micrograms, repeated if necessary, injection to be diluted to a concentration of
50 micrograms/mL, reserve intravenous beta2 agonists for those in whom inhaled
therapy cannot be used reliably.
By intravenous infusion
 For Adult
Initially 5 micrograms/minute, adjusted according to response and heart rate, usual
dose 3–20 micrograms/minute, higher doses may be required, reserve intravenous
beta2 agonists for those in whom inhaled therapy cannot be used reliably.
By inhalation of aerosol
 For Adult
100–200 micrograms, up to 4 times a day for persistent symptoms.
By inhalation of nebulised solution

3.  For Adult
2.5–5 mg, repeated up to 4 times daily or more frequently in severe cases.
Prophylaxis of allergen- or exercise-induced bronchospasm
By inhalation of aerosol
 For Adult
200 micrograms.
Acute asthma
By intravenous injection
 For Child1–23 months
5 micrograms/kg for 1 dose, dose to be administered over 5 minutes, reserve
intravenous beta2 agonists for those in whom inhaled therapy cannot be used reliably
or there is no current effect.
 For Child2–17 years
15 micrograms/kg (max. per dose 250 micrograms) for 1 dose, dose to be
administered over 5 minutes, reserve intravenous beta2 agonists for those in whom
inhaled therapy cannot be used reliably or there is no current effect.
Moderate, severe, orlife-threatening acute asthma
By inhalation of nebulised solution
 For Child1 month–4 years
2.5 mg, repeat every 20–30 minutes or when required, give via oxygen-driven
nebuliser if available.
 For Child5–11 years
2.5–5 mg, repeat every 20–30 minutes or when required, give via oxygen-driven
nebuliser if available.
 For Child12–17 years
5 mg, repeat every 20–30 minutes or when required, give via oxygen-driven nebuliser
if available.
 For Adult

4. 5 mg, repeat every 20–30 minutes or when required, give via oxygen-driven nebuliser
if available.
Moderate and severe acute asthma
By inhalation of aerosol
 For Child
2–10 puffs, each puff is to be inhaled separately, repeat every 10–20 minutes or when
required, give via large volume spacer (and a close-fitting face mask in children under
3 years), each puff is equivalent to 100 micrograms.
 For Adult
2–10 puffs, each puff is to be inhaled separately, repeat every 10–20 minutes or when
required, give via large volume spacer, each puff is equivalent to 100 micrograms.
Exacerbation of reversible airways obstruction (including nocturnal asthma),
Prophylaxis of allergen- or exercise-induced bronchospasm
By inhalation of aerosol
 For Child
100–200 micrograms, up to 4 times a day for persistent symptoms.
By mouth using immediate-release medicines
 For Child1 month–1 year
100 micrograms/kg 3–4 times a day (max. per dose 2 mg), inhalation route preferred
over oral route.
 For Child2–5 years
1–2 mg 3–4 times a day, inhalation route preferred over oral route.
 For Child6–11 years
2 mg 3–4 times a day, inhalation route preferred over oral route.
 For Child12–17 years
2–4 mg 3–4 times a day, inhalation route preferred over oral route.
Chronic asthma
By mouth using modified-release medicines

5.  For Child3–11 years
4 mg twice daily.
 For Child12–17 years
8 mg twice daily.
 For Adult
8 mg twice daily.