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Salbutamol

Why it's used

Salbutamol is used to prevent & treat wheezing, narrowing of the airways (bronchospasm), chest tightness, difficulty breathing, and coughing caused by lung diseases such as asthma, and long-term obstructive pulmonary disease. It is a prescription medicine. This medicine works by relaxing and opening the muscles of the airways. Salbutamol is also used to treat damaged and enlarged air sacs of the lungs and long-term inflammation of the bronchial tubes.
Beta2-Adrenergic Agonists
Salbutamol belongs to a class of medicines called Beta2-Adrenergic Agonists. Beta2 adrenergic receptor agonists are primarily used to treat asthma and other lung-related disorders, such as Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It leads to relaxation of smooth muscle in the lungs, dilation and opening of the airways.

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How to use

Read the directions on the product label, patient guide, or medicine guide provided by the medicine company or your pharmacist before starting to use Salbutamol. If you have any questions related to this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Use this medicine as recommended by your doctor.
Salbutamol is used with or without food.

Typical Dosage

The typical dose of Salbutamol is 4 mg three or four times a day. The usual dose for children is 1-4 mg three or four times a day. The maximum adult dose of Salbutamol is 8 mg three or four times a day in a day.
You should continue to use this medicine as directed by the doctor even if you feel well.
To decrease the possibility of side-effects, you might be recommended to use the extended-release form of this medicine by your doctor. The extended-release medicine helps in maintaining a steady level of the medicine in your body for a longer period of time. Do not crush or chew the medicine, unless indicated on the package or by your doctor.
If using the liquid form of this medicine, measure the dose using the provided measuring cup, spoon, or dropper. Before pouring the medicine into the measuring device, you should check the measurement markings carefully. Then, pour the dose amount into the device. After use, clean and store the measuring device in a safe place for your next use. You should not use a tablespoon or teaspoon as the dose measuring devices since it can result in an incorrect dose. If indicated on the product package, shake the medicine before use.

Talk to Your Doctor

Talk to your doctor if your condition does not improve or worsens.
Your doctor may recommend a lower initial dose of this medicine to see the impact of this medicine on the body. Please follow your doctor's directions.

Use in Children

If you are giving Salbutamol to a child, be sure to use a product that is meant for children. Before giving this medicine to a child, use the child's weight or age to find the right dose from the product package. You can also read the dosage section of this page to know the correct dose for your child. Else, consult with your doctor and follow their recommendation.

Storage

You should store Salbutamol at 25°C (77°F), and away from moisture. Store the medicine away from the reach of children and pets.
Medicines may be prescribed for uses other than those listed in the medicine guide. Do not use Salbutamol for conditions for which it was not prescribed. Do not give Salbutamol to other people who might have the same conditions or symptoms that you have. Self-medication may harm them.

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How to take Salbutamol

The dose and frequency of using Salbutamol will depend on the following factors:
  • age of the patient
  • medicines recommended by the doctor
  • any other medicines being used
  • herbal supplements being used

Salbutamol Dosage

Dosage for lung diseases

Adult
  • Recommended: 4 mg three or four times a day and some patients may be successfully relief with 2 mg three or four times a day
  • Maximum: 8 mg three or four times a day
Children (2-6 years)
  • Recommended: 1-2 mg three or four times a day
Children (6-12 years)
  • Recommended: 2 mg three or four times a day
Children (over 12 years)
  • Recommended: 2-4 mg three or four times a day
Older Adults
  • Recommended: 2 mg three or four times a day

Dosage calculation for children

To calculate the dosage for children please use the weight based dose calculator to calculate the appropriate dosage as per the weight of your child.

Forms

Solution
Strength: 0.63 mg/3 ml, 1.25 mg/3 ml, 2.5 mg/3 ml, 5 mg/1 ml, 2 mg/5 ml, 0.75 mg/3 ml, 0.83 mg/1 ml, 1.5 mg/3 ml, 2.5 mg/3 ml, 2.5 mg/0.5 ml, 0.4 mg, 5 mg, 1 mg, 2 mg, 0.5 mg, 0.25 mg, 2.5 mg, 1.25 mg
Aerosol, metered
Strength: 100 mcg, 90 mcg, 108 mcg
Aerosol, spray
Strength: 90 mcg
Inhalant
Strength: 0.63 mg/3 ml, 1.50 mg/3 ml, 2.5 mg/3 ml
Syrup
Strength: 2 mg/5 ml
Tablet
Strength: 2 mg, 2.4 mg, 4 mg, 4.8 mg
Tablet, film coated, extended release
Strength: 4 mg, 8 mg

Special Instructions

Extended-release tablets
Salbutamol should be swallowed whole with plenty of water or other liquid. Do not split, crush, or chew the tablet.
Inhalant
Shake the inhaler before use. Salbutamol can be taken with or without food at any time of day.

Missed Dose

A missed dose should be taken as early as you remember it. However, if the time for the next dose is almost there, then the missed dose should be skipped, and the regular dosing schedule should be continued. Avoid taking a repeated dose to make up for a missed dose.

Overdose

What to do if you overdose on Salbutamol?
The selective beta-blocking agent is a specific antidote for an overdose of Salbutamol. These drugs should be taken with precaution in patients with a history of breathing difficulty. In case of overdose, patients should be monitored for blood potassium levels.
Symptoms of an overdose of Salbutamol
If you use too much of this medicine, it could lead to dangerous levels of the medicine in your body. In such cases, symptoms of an overdose may include:
If you think you have overdosed on Salbutamol, call a poison control center immediately. You can look up the poison control center information from the Poison Center Finder at TabletWise.com.

Precautions while using Salbutamol

Before you use Salbutamol, tell your doctor of your medical and health history including the following:
Salbutamol may cause low levels of potassium levels in the blood in patients with severe asthma. Patients with heart problems may experience worsening of their condition or chest pain when using Salbutamol. Salbutamol may cause high blood sugar which may lead to increased levels of acids in the blood (ketoacidosis).
Before you use Salbutamol, discuss with your doctor if you are allergic to it or its ingredients. Your doctor may prescribe an alternative medicine and update your medical records to record this information.
The use of this medicine may change heart function parameter. Salbutamol may increase heartbeat and amount of blood pumped by the heart in every minute (cardiac output).
The use of Salbutamol may change blood sugar and lactate level. Salbutamol may increase levels of sugar and ketones in the blood (ketoacidosis) in patients with high blood sugar. Blood glucose and lactate levels should be monitored in these patients.
The use of this medicine may change potassium level. Salbutamol may cause low potassium levels in patients with severe asthma.
The use of Salbutamol may change blood pressure. Salbutamol may cause low blood pressure.

Seizures

Salbutamol can make you feel sleepy. Be careful when using any machinery, driving a vehicle, or doing any other activity that needs you to be fully alert. The consumption of alcohol with Salbutamol can worsen the sleepiness. Salbutamol may cause rarely seizures in some people. If you perform any activities where a loss of consciousness may cause harm to you (or others), you should discuss with your doctor.

Use in Pregnancy

The use of Salbutamol during pregnancy should only be when required.

Use while Breastfeeding

Salbutamol may pass into breast milk. But it is not known whether it will harm the baby. This medicine should be used during pregnancy when the potential benefits to the mother outweigh the possible risk to the infants.

Use while Conceiving

Consult with your doctor on the use of Salbutamol, if you are trying to conceive.

What precautions should be taken during Pregnancy and Nursing, and administering Salbutamol to Children or the Older Adults?

Pregnant Women

Only When Necessary
Warning: 

Breastfeeding

Only When Necessary
Warning: Salbutamol may pass into breast milk. But it is not known whether it will harm the baby. This medicine should be used during pregnancy when the potential benefits to the mother outweigh the possible risk to the infants.

Younger Adults Population

Only When Necessary
Warning: This medicine should not be used in children under 2 years. Increased doses should be used cautiously in children.

Older Adults Population

Precaution
Warning: Elderly patients should be treated with a lower starting dose.

Salbutamol Side-effects

Rarely, the use of Salbutamol may cause the following side-effects:
  • chest pain
  • chest, jaw or shoulder pain
  • feeling tense
  • fluid on the lungs
  • headache
  • hives
  • increase in the amount of acid in the body (ketoacidosis)
  • muscle spasm
  • myoclonus
  • skeletal muscle tremor
  • sudden falling movement (collapse)
  • widening of blood vessels which can cause an increase in heart function and heart rate
The following severe side-effects may also occur when using Salbutamol:
  • Increased lactic acid in the body (lactic acidosis)
    Symptoms: rapid breathing, being sick stomach pain
    If this happens, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
  • Heart disorders
    Symptoms: an irregular heartbeat obstruction in the blood flow of the heart muscles
  • Immune system disorders such as allergic reactions
    Symptoms: swelling of the lower layers of the skin, hives, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure sudden falling movement (collapse)
    If this happens, stop taking Salbutamol and contact your doctor as soon as possible.
  • Low blood potassium
    Symptoms: muscle twitching or weakness an irregular heartbeat
    If this happens, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
  • Increased blood sugar levels
    If this happens, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Your doctor has prescribed Salbutamol because they judge that the benefit is greater than the risk posed by side-effects. Many people using this medicine do not have serious side-effects. This page does not list all possible side-effects of Salbutamol.
If you experience side-effects or notice other side-effects not listed above, contact your doctor for medical advice. You may also report side-effects to your local food and drug administration authority. You can look up the drug authority contact information from the Drug Authority Finder at TabletWise.com.

Side-effects and Allergic Reactions of Salbutamol by Severity and Frequency

Infrequent and Rare Side-effects

Following are the infrequent and rare side-effects of this medicine:

Severe Side-effects

Following are the severe side-effects of this medicine:

Serious Allergic Reactions

Following are the symptoms of serious allergic reactions to this medicine:
If this happens, stop taking Salbutamol and contact your doctor as soon as possible.
If you experience side-effects or notice other side-effects not listed above, contact your doctor for medical advice. You may also report side-effects to your local food and drug administration authority. You can look up the drug authority contact information from the Drug Authority Finder at TabletWise.com.

Warnings

Heart Diseases

Patients with heart disease such as increased or decreased heartbeat or heart failure are at an increased risk when using Salbutamol. These patients may experience symptoms of worsening of heart disease, difficulty in breathing, and chest pain. If these symptoms occur, contact the doctor. Monitoring of these symptoms should be considered.

Genetic Problems

Patients with rare genetic problems including galactose intolerance, Lapp lactase deficiency and abnormal absorption of glucose-galactose at an increased risk. Avoid the use of Salbutamol in such patients.

Allergic Reactions

Patients taking Salbutamol may experience an allergic reaction. Salbutamol contains carmoisine (E122) may cause allergic reactions. These reactions may include swelling of the face, lips, throat or tongue, pale or red irregular patches with hives, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, and collapse. If this happens, stop taking Salbutamol and contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Shortness of Breath (Asthma)

Patients with unstable, severe asthma or taking Salbutamol are at an increased risk. These patients may experience less effective treatment, more inhalation than regular, widening of the blood vessels, increased heartbeat, or increased amount of blood pumped by the heart. Increased use of bronchodilator medicines may worsen asthma control. Medical attention should be considered in such patients. Monotherapy of bronchodilators should not be the only treatment used in these patients.

Increased Thyroid Hormone

Patients with raised levels of thyroid hormones (thyrotoxicosis) are at an increased risk when using Salbutamol. Precaution should be taken in such patients. This medicine should be used after evaluating the risk-benefit of the therapy.

Low Levels of Potassium

Severe asthmatic patients taking Salbutamol are at an increased risk. These patients may experience low levels of potassium or blood sugar.

High Blood Sugar

Patients with high blood sugar or taking Salbutamol are at an increased risk. These patients may experience increased levels of high blood sugar. High blood sugar may lead to an increased level of acids (ketoacidosis) in the blood. Using corticosteroids in these patients may also increase blood sugar levels. Patients should be monitored for lactate and sugar levels in the blood.

Blood-Vessel Related Heart Effects

Patients taking Salbutamol are at an increased risk. These patients may experience blood vessel related heart effects such as an obstruction in the blood flow of the heart muscles (myocardial ischemia).

Interactions with Salbutamol

When two or more medicines are taken together, it can change how the medicines work and increase the risk of side-effects. In medical terms, this is called as a Drug Interaction.
This page does not contain all the possible interactions of Salbutamol. Share a list of all medicines that you use with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medicines without the approval of your doctor.

Theophylline

Salbutamol interacts with theophylline. When higher doses of Salbutamol is used with higher doses of theophylline, it may increase the risk of low level of potassium in the blood.

Anti-Depressants

There may be an interaction of Salbutamol with antidepressants (tricyclics antidepressants and monoamine-oxidase inhibitors). When Salbutamol is used with antidepressants, it may alter the effect of Salbutamol.

Anti-Hypertensives

Salbutamol may interact with antihypertensives (reserpine, methyldopa, and guanethidine), which are used to treat high blood pressure. When Salbutamol is used with antihypertensives, it may alter the effect of Salbutamol.

Halogenated Anesthetics

Your doctor's guidelines may need to be followed while taking this medicine along with halogenated anesthetics. When Salbutamol is used with halogenated anesthetics, it may increase the risk of abnormal and ineffective uterine contractions during delivery (uterine inertia), bleeding, and serious heart rhythm disorders. Salbutamol should be discontinued as soon as possible or at least 6 hours before taking anesthetics.

Corticosteroids

Special instructions need to be followed while taking this medicine along with corticosteroids. When higher doses of Salbutamol is used with higher doses of corticosteroids, it may increase the risk of low level of potassium in the blood.

Beta-Blocking Drugs

Salbutamol interacts with Beta-blocking drugs (propranolol). Salbutamol should not be used with beta-blocking drugs.

Potassium-Depleting Agents

There may be an interaction of Salbutamol with potassium-depleting agents (diuretics, digoxin, and methylxanthines). When using Salbutamol with potassium-depleting agents, it may increase the risk of low levels of potassium in the blood, which may lead to increased or decreased heart rhythm. These medicines should be used together after considering the benefits and risks of using this combination. In the case of increased or decreased heart rhythm, special consideration should be given.

Anti-Diabetics

Salbutamol may interact with anti-diabetics. Salbutamol may increase the blood sugar level. When Salbutamol is used with anti-diabetics, it may interfere in the effect of anti-diabetic therapy. Antidiabetic therapy should be adjusted when using both medicines together.

Interactions of Salbutamol by Severity

Severe

The following medicines are usually not to be taken together without consulting with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious

The following medicines may interact when taken together and can cause harmful effects in the body. Please consult with your doctor or pharmacist before taking these medicines together.

Moderate

The following medicines may interact when taken together and can increase your risk of harmful effects. Please consult with your doctor or pharmacist before taking these medicines together.

When should Salbutamol be not used?

Allergy to Salbutamol

This medicine should not be used in patients who are allergic to Salbutamol. These patients may have the following symptoms if they use this medicine:

Beta-Blockers

Salbutamol should not be used with beta-blockers such as propranolol.

Rare Genetic Problems

This medicine should not be used in patients with rare genetic problems of reduced activity or absence of lactase (galactose intolerance and Lapp lactase deficiency) and abnormal absorption of glucose and galactose in the body.

Threatened Abortion

During the first or second trimesters of pregnancy, this medicine should not be used for threatened abortion (miscariage).

Traveling With Medication

  • Ensure that you carry enough doses of each of your prescription medicines to last the entire trip. The best place to store your medicines is in the carry on baggage. However, while flying, if carrying liquid medicines, make sure you do not go over the limits imposed for carry-on liquids.
  • While traveling overseas, make sure that you can carry each of your prescription medicines legally to your destination country. One way to ensure this is by checking with your destination country's embassy or website.
  • Make sure that you carry each of your medicines in their original packaging, which should typically include your name and address, and the details of the prescribing doctor.
  • If your travel involves crossing time zones, and you are required to take your medicine as per a fixed schedule, make sure that you adjust for the change in time.

Expired Medication

Taking a single dose of expired Salbutamol is unlikely to cause a side-effect. However, please discuss with your doctor or pharmacist, if you feel unwell or sick. An expired medicine may become ineffective in treating your prescribed conditions. To be on the safe side, it is important not to use an expired drug. You are much safer by always keeping a fresh supply of unexpired medicines.

Safe Disposal of Medication

  • If there are disposal instructions on the package, please follow the instructions.
  • If there are medicine take-back programs in your country, you should contact the respective authority to arrange for the disposal of the medicine. For example, in the USA, the Drug Enforcement Administration regularly hosts National Prescription Drug Take-Back events.
  • If there are no take-back programs, mix the medicine with dirt and place them in a sealed plastic bag. Throw the plastic bag in your household trash. Separately, remove all personal information including the prescription label from the medicine packaging and then dispose off the container.
  • If specifically indicated on the medicine package that it needs to be flushed down the toilet when no longer needed, perform the required step.
This page provides information for Salbutamol .

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