Salbutamol

Generic Name:
Salbutamol

Brand Name:
Ventolin

Available Forms, Indications and Dosages:
diskhaler
1's (P140)

inhaler
100mcg/1inhalation x 200 doses (P386)

nebules
2.5mg/2.5mL x 30's (P954)

rotacap
200mcg x 100's (P621)

rotadisk
200mcg x 15's (P823)

rotahaler
1's (P73)

Sugar-free syrup (orange-flavored)
2mg/5mL x 60 mL (P103)

tablet
2mg x 100's (P663)
2mg x 500's (P2525)

Dosage, Frequency and Route:
Tablet Adult 2 tab tid-qid. If adequate bronchodilation is not obtained, dose may be gradually increased to 4 tab tid-qid. Childn >12 yr 1-2 tab, 6-12 yr 1 tab, 2-6 yr ½-1 tab. All doses to be taken tid-qid.

Syrup Adult 2 tsp. If adequate bronchodilation is not obtained, each single dose may be gradually increased to 4 tsp. Childn >12 yr 1-2 tsp, 6-12 yr 1 tsp, 2-6 yr ½-1 tsp. All doses to be taken tid-qid.

Inhaler Acute bronchospasm & intermittent episodes of asthma Adult 1-2 inhalations as single dose. Chronic maintenance or prophylaxis: 2 inhalations tid-qid. Prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm 2 inhalations before exertion. Childn Acute bronchospasm in the management of episodic asthma or before exertion 1 inhalation. Maintenance or prophylaxis: 1 inhalation tid or qid. May be increased to 2 inhalations if required.

Rotacap For inhalation w/ a Rotahaler. Relief of acute bronchospasm & for managing intermittent episodes of asthma Adult 1-2 rotacap as single dose. Chronic maintenance or prophylaxis: 2 rotacap tid-qid. Before exertion to prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm 2 rotacap. Childn Relief of acute bronchospasm in the management of episodic asthma or before exertion 1 rotacap. Maintenance or prophylaxis: 1 rotacap tid or qid.

Nebule Severe bronchospasm & status asthmaticus Adult & childn Initially 1 nebule but may be increased to 2 nebules & may be repeated up to qid by nebulizer. If prolonged delivery time (>10 min) is desirable, dilute w/ normal saline for inj.

Rotadisk For inhalation w/ a diskhaler. Relief of acute bronchospasm Adult 200 or 400 mcg. Childn 200 mcg. Prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm Adult 400 mcg before exertion. Chronic maintenance & prophylactic therapy Adult 400 mcg tid-qid.

Action:
Antiasthmatic, COPD preparations, Bronchodilator
Salbutamol is a selective β2-adrenoceptor agonist. At therapeutic doses, it acts on the β2-adrenoceptors of bronchial muscle, with little or no action on the β1-adrenoceptors of cardiac muscle.

Treatment & prevention of bronchial asthma, bronchitis, emphysema w/ associated reversible airway obstruction.

Side Effects:
Ventolin Nebules may cause a fine tremor of skeletal muscle, usually, the hands are most obviously affected. This effect is common to all β-adrenergic stimulants. Occasionally, headaches have been reported. Peripheral vasodilatation and a compensatory small increase in heart rate may occur in some patients. Hypersensitivity reactions, including angioedema, urticaria, bronchospasm, hypotension and collapse, have been reported very rarely. There have been rare reports of muscle cramps. As with other inhalation therapy, paradoxical bronchospasm may occur with an immediate increase in wheezing after dosing. This should be treated immediately with an alternative presentation or a different fast-acting inhaled bronchodilator. Ventolin Nebules should be discontinued immediately, the patient assessed, and if necessary, alternative therapy instituted. Potentially serious hypokalemia may result from β2-agonist therapy. As with other β2-agonists, hyperactivity has been reported rarely in children. Mouth and throat irritation may occur with inhaled salbutamol. Tachycardia may occur in some patients.

Contraindications:
Patients with a history of hypersensitivity to any of the components of Ventolin Nebules.

Although IV salbutamol and occasionally, salbutamol tablets are used in the management of premature labor uncomplicated by conditions eg, placenta previa, antepartum hemorrhage or toxemia of pregnancy, inhaled salbutamol preparations are not appropriate for managing premature labor.

Salbutamol presentations should not be used for threatened abortion.

Nursing Considerations:

• Do not stop medication suddenly.
• If taking a controlled-release type of Salbutamol, swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. Do not cut, crush or chew the tablet. The controlled-release type of Salbutamol is designed to release medicine slowly into thebody over a few hours. If you cut, crush or chew the tablet, this slow release mechanism will not work.
• Take Salbutamol on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.
• Alert doctor if patient suffers from high blood pressure, irregular heart beat, heart failure or other kinds of heart disease, thyroid problems, diabetes, glaucoma or epilepsy (seizures).
• Alert doctor if chest tightness seems worse or if Salbutamol does not seem to provide as much relief as before.
• If patient has diabetes, be sure to monitor blood sugar levels regularly because Salbutamol may cause your blood sugar to rise.
• Alert doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Inform patient to not drive or take part in any activity in which he need to be alert.
Other common side effects include nervousness, tiredness, shaky hands, headache, nausea and dry mouth. Less commonly, one may have muscle cramps, difficulty urinating and problems falling asleep.