Preparations of salbutamol:

(1) Oral preparations:

Salbutamol 2 mg, 4 mg, and 8 mg XR tablet

Salbutamol 2 mg/5 mL solution

(2) Injectable preparation:

Salbutamol intramuscular or intravenous injection 50 mcg/mL.

(3) Inhaler preparations:

Salbutamol metered dose aerosol inhaler (MDI) HFA (Hydrofluoroalkane) – one inhalation (puff) contains 100 mcg salbutamol.

Salbutamol dry powder inhaler (DPI) capsule – one capsule contains 200 mcg salbutamol.

(4) Nebulised solution preparation:

Salbutamol nebulised solution – it contains 5 mg sabutamol/mL solution.

Dosage of salbutamol:

(1) Oral salbutamol:

• Adults and also Children over 12 years of age – Usual starting dosage of salbutamol is 2mg or 4 mg 3 or 4 times a day. A dosage above 4 mg salbutamol 4 times a day should be used only when the patient fails to respond adequately. If a desirable response does not found with 4 mg salbutamol, it should be cautiously increased the dosage up to a maximum of 8 mg 4 times a day as tolerated.
• Children 6-12 years of age – Usual starting dosage of salbutamol is 2 mg 3 or 4 times a day. If a desirable response does not found with 2 mg salbutamol, it should be cautiously increased the dosage up to a maximum of 24 mg per day given in 3 or 4 divided doses.
• Children 2-6 years of age – Usual dose is 1 mg salbutamol 3 or 4 times a day, or 0.1 mg/kg body weight/dose, 3 or 4 times a day.

(2) Salbutamol metered dose aerosol inhaler (MDI):

The usual dosage of salbutamol aerosol inhaler for adults and children over four years of age-

• For the treatment of acute episodes of bronchial asthma or acute bronchospasm , the usual dose is one puff (100 mcg) or two puffs (200 mcg) of salbutamol aerosol inhaler repeated every four to six hours.
• For chronic maintenance therapy in bronchial asthma, one or two puffs 3 or 4 times daily.
• For the prophylaxis of bronchospasm caused by exercise, two puffs 15 minutes before exercise.

(3) Salbutamol dry powder inhaler (DPI) capsule:

Salbutamol DPI capsule is used only by oral inhalation. An inhalation device such as Cyclohaler, Cozyhaler, or Rotahaler is used for inhalation of Salbutamol DPI capsule. The usual dosage of salbutamol dry powder inhaler capsule for adults and children over four years of age-

• For the treatment of persistent symptoms of bronchial asthma, one capsule (200 mcg) or two capsules (400 mcg) inhaled 3 or 4 times daily.
• For the prophylaxis of bronchospasm caused by exercise, one capsule (for children) or two capsules (for adults) inhaled 15 minutes before exercise.

(4) Salbutamol nebulised solution:

 For the treatment of severe acute bronchial asthma and also for the relief of acute episodes of bronchospasm in adults and children over 18 months of age, one ml (for children) or two ml (for adults) salbutamol nebulised solution should be diluted to final volume of 2-4 ml with normal saline is inhaled from a driven nebulizer until aerosol generation ceases. It should take about 10 minutes. Nebulization may be required repeated times a day.

(5) Salbutamol injection:

For the treatment of severe acute bronchial asthma and acute episodes of bronchospasm in adults, 10 ml salbutamol injection intramuscular or 5 ml intravenous or salbutamol injection 5-20 mcg/minutes by intravenous infusion may be effective. Dose may be repeated if necessary. Children are not recommended for salbutamol injection.