Salbutamol: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What medicine is Salbutamol?

What is Salbutamol for?

Salbutamol is an albuterol drug which functions to relax the respiratory tract muscles. These drugs are included in bronchodilators, which are intended to open up the respiratory tract. Salbutamol is available in tablet and inhaler form.

Salbutamol is commonly used to treat respiratory problems, such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema. Salbutamol belongs to the class of drugs selective beta-2-adrenergic agonists .

This drug works by relaxing the muscles of the respiratory tract, making it easier for patients to breathe. Salbutamol is usually used to relieve symptoms of respiratory problems that appear at any time.

The rules for use, dosage, side effects, and warnings for using salbutamol will be explained further below.

What are the rules for using Salbutamol?

Always take tablets and use the salbutamol inhaler exactly as your doctor tells you to. If you are unsure, check with your doctor or pharmacist.

Swallow the tablet with water. If you are concerned that your tablet is not working as usual, contact your doctor for advice.

For salbutamol inhaler, use it only when you experience symptoms of respiratory distress, such as coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and feeling of pressure in the chest.

Instructions for using salbutamol inhalers are generally listed on the packaging label. Therefore, read the instructions on the label carefully, so that you do not use the inhaler wrong.

If you or your child has difficulty using the regular salbutamol inhaler, your doctor may recommend using a spacer as a aid.

A spacer is a tube-like device that you attach to your salbutamol inhaler. Using a spacer, the medication from the inhaler will be directed towards your mouth precisely.

How to store Salbutamol?

Store at room temperature and away from direct light and humid places. Do not store in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules.

Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed.

Consult your pharmacist or local waste company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Salbutamol dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dosage of Salbutamol for adults?

The following are the dosages of salbutamol that are recommended for adults, both in tablet and inhaler form:

Tablet

The dose of salbutamol in tablet form for adults is 4 mg 3-4 times a day.

Your doctor may increase your dose gradually to a maximum limit of 8 mg three or four times a day. Some patients are successfully treated with 2 mg 3-4 times a day.

Dosage for the elderly or patients who are known to be sensitive to this product: start with 2 mg 3-4 times a day.

Inhaler

Salbutamol in the form of an inhaler is only used when symptoms of respiratory problems appear.

The usual dose given to adults is 1-2 sprays in 1 use. Within 24 hours, you should not use the inhaler more than 4 times.

If you have asthma and have a sudden asthma attack, you can spray the salbutamol inhaler up to 10 times. Allow 30 seconds to pause between each spray.

What is the dosage of Salbutamol for children?

Here are the salbutamol dosages for children:

• Salbutamol dose for children 2-6 years: 1-2 mg three or four times a day
• Salbutamol dose for children 6-12 years: 2 mg three or four times a day
• Salbutamol dose for children over 12 years of age: 2-4 mg three to four times a day
• Salbutamol should not be given to children under 2 years of age.
• The dosage and the rules for using salbutamol in the form of an inhaler for children are no different from those for adults.

What are the forms and dosages of salbutamol preparations?

Salbutamol is available in the following forms:

• Solution 1 mg / mL; 2.5 mg / 2.5 mL;; 2 mg / mL; 5 mg / 2.5 mL
• Accuhaler 200 mg
• 2 mg tablet; 4 mg

Salbutamol side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to Salbutamol?

As many as 1 in 100 people experience the following side effects after using this medicine:

• feel shaky
• faster heart rate, not accompanied by chest pain
• headache
• muscle cramp

The effects above are not dangerous and will usually get better on their own once your body gets used to this drug.

However, if you experience the following symptoms of an allergic reaction, stop using this drug immediately and contact your doctor:

• swelling of the face, lips, throat, or tongue
• a rash or redness appears
• itchy rash
• difficulty breathing
• low blood pressure
• decreased consciousness (severe allergic or anaphylactic reaction)

Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following effects or if any are not listed:

• Increased lactic acid in the body: rapid breathing, feeling sick, stomach pain
• Low blood potassium: muscle spasms or weakness, irregular heartbeat
• Increase in acidic substances in the body (ketoacidosis), which can occur in people with diabetes
• Others: headaches, increased blood sugar levels, tremors (usually in the hands), a feeling of tension, dilated blood vessels which can lead to increased heart function and heart rate, irregular heartbeat, muscle spasms

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above.

If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Warnings and Cautions for Salbutamol

What should be known before using Salbutamol?

Do not use salbutamol tablets and tell your doctor if:

• Allergy (hypersensitivity) to salbutamol or other ingredients contained in the tablet
• prone to miscarriage during the first six months of pregnancy
• use beta-blockers like propranolol.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine if you have any of the following health conditions:

Hyperthyroidism

Bronchodilator drugs such as salbutamol can increase the activity of the thyroid gland, thus potentially triggering thyrotoxicosis. Therefore, asthmatics who also have thyroid gland problems or hyperthyroidism need further supervision while using this drug.

Diabetes

In most cases, there is an increase in blood sugar levels while using salbutamol. This condition can certainly endanger patients with diabetes. The use of this drug in diabetic patients should be monitored further because of the potential for ketoacidosis (increase in acid in the body).

History of heart disease

Although it is not known exactly how often this occurs, some people sometimes experience chest pain (caused by heart problems such as angina). Talk to your doctor / midwife if you develop these symptoms during treatment with this medicine, but do not stop using the drug unless otherwise advised.

If you have to use the salbutamol inhaler more than 4 times in 24 hours, it may mean that your health condition has deteriorated and you need more intensive treatment.

In addition, using salbutamol too often actually increases the risk of side effects, such as increased heart rate, anxiety, body shaking, and headaches.

Immediately consult a doctor if you:

• using the salbutamol inhaler more than 4 times in 24 hours
• more than 2 days in 1 week
• use your inhaler in the middle of the night, at least once a week

Is Salbutamol safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There is no adequate research on the risks of using salbutamol in pregnant or breastfeeding women. However, salbutamol has the potential to be absorbed into breast milk and is drunk by the baby.

Therefore, always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication.

This medicine falls into a category C (possibly risky) pregnancy risk according to US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = No risk,
• B = not at risk in several studies,
• C = May be risky,
• D = There is positive evidence of risk,
• X = Contraindicated,
• N = Unknown

Drug Interactions of Salbutamol

What medicines may interact with Salbutamol?

Although several drugs should not be used simultaneously, in other cases two different drugs may be used simultaneously even if interactions are possible. In this case, your doctor may change the dose, or other precautions may be needed. Tell your doctor if you are on any other prescription or nonprescription medication, specifically:

Hypertension drugs

Medicines to treat hypertension or high blood pressure, such as diuretics, guanethidine, or methyldopa, have the potential to increase the risk of bleeding when interacting with salbutamol.

Antidiabetic drugs

Diabetes drugs that interact with salbutamol also have a risk of increasing blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Therefore, concurrent treatment with salbutamol and diabetes drugs needs further adjustment.

In addition, there are other drugs that can trigger interactions with salbutamol:

• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI), such as tranylcypromine (for depression)
• tricyclic antidepressants , such as amitriptyline (for depression)
• beta-blockers , such as propranolol
• corticosteroid drugs
• theophylline (for breathing problems)
• Inhaled anesthetics (tell your doctor if you are going to have surgery)
• digoxin (for heart problems)
• xanthines, such as theophylline, aminophylline (for asthma)

Can food or alcohol interact with Salbutamol?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur.

Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions may interact with Salbutamol?

Any other health problem in your body can affect the use of salbutamol.

Tell your doctor if you have other health problems

Salbutamol overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Signs of overdose include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, loss of balance, numbness and tingling, or convulsions.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.