Salbutamol

Uses
Reverses bronchospasm

Administration
• Nebuliser: 2.5–5 mg 6 hourly, undiluted (if prolonged delivery time desirable then dilute with sodium chloride 0.9% only)

For patients with chronic bronchitis and hypercapnia, oxygen in high concentration can be dangerous, and nebulisers should be driven by air
• IV: 5 mg made up to 50 ml with glucose 5% (100 μg/ml)
Rate: 200–1200 μg/h (2–12 ml/h)

How not to use salbutamol
For nebuliser: do not dilute in anything other than sodium chloride 0.9% (hypotonic solution may cause bronchospasm)

Adverse effects
Tremor
Tachycardia
Paradoxical bronchospasm (stop giving if suspected)
Potentially serious hypokalaemia (potentiated by concomitant treatment with aminophylline, steroids, diuretics and hypoxia)

Cautions
Thyrotoxicosis
In patients already receiving large doses of other sympathomimetic drugs