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Overview

Salbutamol

Prescription vs OTC : Prescription by Doctor required

About Salbutamol

Salbutamol is prescribed to treat obstruction due to asthma or COPD. This medicine belongs to the short-acting beta-2 agonists class of drugs. This medicine can also be used to delay delivery in women undergoing premature labour. It is very useful for preventing asthma symptoms due to exercise and other conditions too.

Some of its side effects include feeling a bit shaky, headache, uneven heart beat, flushing, muscle cramps, irritation or dryness of the mouth and throat, low blood potassium levels, weakness, restlessness, dizziness, bronchospasm and lactic acidosis.

Salbutamol should be used with caution in those with severe asthma, heart problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, an overactive thyroid gland, infection of the lungs, arrhythmias, those who have intolerance to some sugars or those with low levels of potassium in their blood.

Salbutamol is usually used with a nebuliser or inhaler but is also available as an intravenous solution and a pill. Dosage is based on your age, gender, response to therapy, medical condition, and use of certain interacting medicines.

Treatment of Salbutamol Overdosage/Toxicology : Prudent use of a cardioselective beta-adrenergic blocker (eg, atenolol or metoprolol); keep in mind the potential for induction of bronchoconstriction in an asthmatic. Dialysis has not been shown to be of value in the treatment of an overdose with this agent.

    Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Pulmonologist before using this medicine.

    What are the uses of Salbutamol

    • Asthma

    • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (Copd)

    Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Pulmonologist before using this medicine.

    What are the contraindications of Salbutamol ?

    • Hypersensitivity

    Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Pulmonologist before using this medicine.

    What are the side effects of Salbutamol ?

    Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Pulmonologist before using this medicine.

    Key highlights of Salbutamol

    • Is It safe with alcohol?

      Interaction with alcohol is unknown. Please consult your doctor.

    • Are there any pregnancy warnings?

      Salbair b forte 400mcg/200mcg transcaps may be unsafe to use during pregnancy.
      Animal studies have shown adverse effects on the foetus, however, there are limited human studies. The benefits from use in pregnant women may be acceptable despite the risk. Please consult your doctor.

    • Are there any breast-feeding warnings?

      Unknown. Human and animal studies are not available. Please consult your doctor.

    • Is it safe to drive while on this medicine?

      There is no interaction between driving and consuming this drug. So dose alteration is not needed.

    • Does this affect kidney function?

      There is no data available. Please consult doctor before consuming the drug.

    • Does this affect liver function?

      There is no data available. Please consult doctor before consuming the drug.

    • How long is the duration of effect?

      The drug will remain active for about 4-6 hours, if taken orally and within 3-4 hours if taken via nebulization/oral inhalation.

    • What is the onset of action?

      The effect of this drug is initiated within initial first hour after its administration.

    Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Pulmonologist before using this medicine.

    What are the dosage instructions?

    • Are there any missed dose instructions?

      You must try not to miss any dosages. Even if you do, make sure that you consume the medicine as soon as you remember but skip the missed dose if you are nearing the time for the next dosage.

    • Are there any overdose instructions?

      If happen to overdose on this medicine by mistake, it is important to consult a doctor with immediate effect.

    Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Pulmonologist before using this medicine.

    Medicines containing Salbutamol

    Below is the list of medicines, which contains Salbutamol as ingredient

    Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Pulmonologist before using this medicine.

    How does this medication work?

    This medication belongs to the class of a short-acting beta-2 agonist that stimulates beta-2 receptors in the lungs. In Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease conditions like asthma where the airways become constricted, this medicine opens the airways, and makes it easier for you to breathe.

      Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Pulmonologist before using this medicine.

      What are the interactions of Salbutamol ?

      Whenever you take more than one medicine, or mix it with certain foods or beverages, you"re at risk of a drug interaction.

        test
      • Interaction with Lab Test

        Increase in the level of renin and aldosterone id observed.
      • Interaction with Medicine

        Decreased effect:

        Beta-adrenergic blockers (eg, propranolol).

        Increased therapeutic effect:

        Inhaled ipratropium may increase duration of bronchodilation, nifedipine may increase FEV-1.

        Increased toxicity:

        Cardiovascular effects are potentiated in patients also receiving MAO inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, sympathomimetic agents (eg, amphetamine, dopamine, dobutamine), inhaled anesthetics (eg, enflurane).
      • Interaction with Food

        Limit caffeine intake. Salbutamol should be administered with water 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.
      • Interaction with Disease

        Monitoring of the following is necessary: Heart rate, CNS stimulation, asthma symptoms, arterial or capillary blood gases (if patients condition warrants).

      FAQs about Salbutamol

      • Ques : What is Salbutamol?

        Ans : It is a salt that performs its action by calming the muscles in the air passages and widens airways. This makes breathing easier. is used to treat conditions such as Acute asthma, Asthma (Maintenance), Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, etc.

      • Ques : What are the uses of Salbutamol?

        Ans : Salbutamol is a salt, which is used for the treatment and prevention of conditions such as Acute asthma, Asthma (Maintenance), and Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Apart from these, it can also be used to treat conditions like Bronchitis and Uncomplicated preterm labor. The patient should inform the doctor about any ongoing medications and treatment before using Salbutamol to avoid undesirable effects.

      • Ques : What are the Side Effects of Salbutamol?

        Ans : Side effects include Coughing, Difficulty in breathing, swelling of face, lips, eyelids, tongue, hands and feet, Skin rash and spotting, Agitation and anxiety, Headache, Muscle pain and cramps, Sleep disturbances, and Difficulty in passing urine. It is a list of possible side-effects that may occur due to the constituting ingredients of Salbutamol.

      • Ques : What are the instructions for storage and disposal Salbutamol?

        Ans : Salbutamol should be kept in a cool dry place and in its original packaging. Make sure this medication remains unreachable to children and pets. The patient should consult a doctor for its further uses and side effects and should inform the doctor about any ongoing medications and treatment before using to avoid undesirable effects. It is a prescribed medication.

      • Ques : When should I take Salbutamol?

        Ans : The medication is taken to relieve asthma symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath, and tightness in the chest. Therefore, you can take Salbutamol whenever you experience the likelihood of an asthma attack.

      • Ques : Can I smoke if I have been prescribed Salbutamol?

        Ans : No, you should not smoke while taking this medication. Smoking irritates the lungs and can make breathing difficult for people with asthma.

      • Ques : Is it safe to take Salbutamol if I have heart disease?

        Ans : Yes, you can take Salbutamol if you have heart disease. However, its use depends on the severity of your heart problem. If you experience any symptom indicative of worsening of heart disease while taking the medication, you should immediately consult your physician.

      • Ques : Being a diabetic, what should I remember while taking Salbutamol?

        Ans : The medication is known to increase blood sugar levels. Therefore, you should consult your doctor who will adjust the dose of insulin or antidiabetic medicines accordingly. Keep a regular check on your blood glucose levels.

      • Ques : I have started using Salbutamol and I am experiencing headaches and shakiness. Is this because of Salbutamol/Albuterol and will these go away?

        Ans : The medication may lead to mild headaches which usually subside in a week. Drink plenty of water, get sufficient rest and avoid alcohol. If they persist for a long time, contact your doctor. Feeling shaky is a common side effect of Salbutamol which resolves on its own after some time.

      • Ques : What would happen if I take higher than the recommended dose of Salbutamol?

        Ans : Taking a higher than the recommended dose of Salbutamol may lead to seizures, chest pain, nervousness, headache, dry mouth, nausea, dizziness, and lack of energy. High doses of this medication may also cause fast, irregular or pounding heartbeat, uncontrollable shaking of any part of the body, and difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.

      • Ques : What would happen if I take higher than the recommended dose of Salbutamol?

        Ans : Taking a higher than the recommended dose of this medicine may cause seizures, chest pain, nervousness, headache, dry mouth, nausea, dizziness and lack of energy. In any such case, seek immediate medical attention.

      • Ques : Being a diabetic, what should I remember while taking Salbutamol?

        Ans : It may cause blood sugar levels to rise. Therefore, your doctor may adjust your dose of insulin or anti-diabetic medicines. Keep a regular check on your blood glucose levels and do not miss any appointments.

      • Ques : When should I take Salbutamol?

        Ans : Use it as and when you need it. Salbutamol relieves the symptoms of asthma-like coughing, shortness of breath and tightness in the chest.

      • Ques : Can I smoke if I have been prescribed Salbutamol?

        Ans : No, you should not smoke while taking this drug. Smoking irritates the lungs. The medicine may make breathing more difficult, especially in patients who have asthma. Take advice from your doctor if you are finding it hard to avoid smoking.

      References

      • Albuterol- Drug Information Portal [Internet]. druginfo.nlm.nih.gov. 2021 [Cited 25 Nov 2021]. Available from:

        https://druginfo.nlm.nih.gov/drugportal/name/salbutamol

      • ALBUTEROL SULFATE solution- Daily Med [Internet]. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [Cited 25 Nov 2021]. Available from:

        https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=ab1cbed4-50c4-4769-9947-1927333f278c

      • Ventolin Respirator Solution 5 mg/ml- EMC [Internet]. www.medicines.org.uk. 2020 [Cited 25 Nov 2021]. Available from:

        https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/852/smpc

      Disclaimer : The information produced here is best of our knowledge and experience and we have tried our best to make it as accurate and up-to-date as possible, but we would like to request that it should not be treated as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment.

      Lybrate is a medium to provide our audience with the common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. Even if there is no mention of a warning for any drug or combination, it never means that we are claiming that the drug or combination is safe for consumption without any proper consultation with an expert.

      Lybrate does not take responsibility for any aspect of medicines or treatments. If you have any doubts about your medication, we strongly recommend you to see a doctor immediately.
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      Written ByDrx Hina FirdousPhD (Pharmacology) Pursuing, M.Pharma (Pharmacology), B.Pharma - Certificate in Nutrition and Child CarePharmacology
      Reviewed By
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      Reviewed ByDr. Garima SharmaMBBS, Master in Healthcare Administration, Diploma in Occupational HealthGeneral Physician
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