We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Factors Affect Salbutamol Dosage?

By Canaan Downs
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 5,231
References
Share

The first B2-receptor agonist ever developed, salbutamol was originally marketed and sold in 1968 under the brand name Ventolin® for the treatment of asthma. Although the medication may be given intravenously, it is generally more convenient to administer it by inhalation in a nebulizer or metered dose inhaler, permitting the drug to exert its bronchial smooth muscle relaxing effects within five to 20 minutes of use. Since its development, the drug has been employed as a treatment for cystic fibrosis, congenital myasthenic syndromes, and exercise-induced brochospasm as well as to delay premature labor. There is considerable variability in patient response to the drug, resulting in large variances in the salbutamol dosage needed for effective relief of symptoms among patients. When administering this medication, factors like the patient's age, condition, form of the medication, medical history, and drug regimen need to be figured into dose calculations.

When giving the medication by inhalation for the prevention of bronchospasm, the average recommended salbutamol dosage is two puffs every four to six hours as required. As of 2011, the medication has not been shown to provide any additional risks to children under four years of age, nor has it been proven to be safe or effective in this population. The appropriate salbutamol dosage for asthma prevention in children under four must be carefully established on an individual basis.

The safety and efficacy of salbutamol in solution form administered using a nebulizer has been found to be safe and effective in children over the age of two. These patients should receive between 0.63 and 1.25 mg of the solution three or four times per day as required, up until the age of 12. The appropriate salbutamol dosage for children younger than two should again be cautiously assessed according to individual patient needs, beginning with the lowest possible dose and increasing this dose only under close medical supervision. Patients over the age of 12 who continue to use the drug in solution form generally receive 2.5 mg three or four times daily.

Patients who are being treated for bronchospasm associated primarily with exercise do not need to take the medication several times each day. Instead, it may be given 15 to 30 minutes before activity. These patients should take two puffs of the drug in its aerosolized form unless they are under four years of age. Patients under four may not require as high an initial dose for effective bronchospasm prevention.

Elderly patients may also require careful supervision when adjusting their salbutamol dosage. Due to the increased risk of heart or kidney problems in geriatric patients, smaller increments should be used when increasing the dose. A number of different medications may also interact with salbutamol. While it is not generally recommended to use medications that interact with this drug, it may be necessary to do so for effective control of symptoms. If incorporating a drug that could interact with a patient's treatment regimen, the salbutamol dosage may need to be adjusted to compensate.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Link to Sources

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-factors-affect-salbutamol-dosage.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.