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Respiratory Handbook

The professional's guide to product selection

Ventolin - Salbutamol

GSK

Description

Short-acting selective beta2 agonist.

Injection
• Child 1–23 months, by intravenous injection over 5 minutes: 5 mcg/kg as a single dose.
• Child 2–17 years, by intravenous injection over 5 minutes: 15 mcg/kg (maximum 250 mcg) as a single dose.
• Adult, subcutaneous or intramuscular injection: 500 mcg, repeated every four hours if necessary.
• Adult, by slow intravenous injection: (dilute to a concentration of 50 mcg/ml), 250 mcg, repeated if necessary.

Infusion
• Child 1 month–18 years: 1–2 mcg/kg/minute, adjusted according to response and heart rate, up to 5 mcg/kg/minute. Doses above 2 mcg/kg/minute should be given in an intensive care setting.
• Adult, by intravenous infusion: initially 5 mcg/minute, adjusted according to response and heart rate, usually in range 3–20 mcg/minute, or more if necessary.

Inhaled
• Child, by aerosol inhalation: 100 mcg (1 puff), increased to 200 mcg (2 puffs) if necessary. For persistent symptoms, up to four times daily.
• Adult, by aerosol inhalation: 100–200 mcg (1–2 puffs), for persistent symptoms up to 4 times daily.
• Adult, by inhalation of nebulised solution: 2.5–5 mg, repeated up to four times daily for persistent symptoms.

Moderate to severe or life-threatening acute asthma, treated by inhalation of nebulised solution. Give via a large volume spacer, and via a close-fitting face mask in children under 3 years.
• Child 1 month–4 years: 2.5 mg, repeat every 20–30 minutes or when required.
• Child 5–11 years: 2.5–5 mg, repeat every 20–30 minutes or when required.
• Over 12 years: 5 mg, repeat every 20–30 minutes or when required.

Moderate and severe acute asthma by inhalation of aerosol.
• Children and adults: 2–10 puffs, each puff to be inhaled separately, repeat every 10–20 minutes or when required. Each puff is equivalent to 100 mcg.

Oral
(Please note, inhalation route preferred over oral route in children.)
• Child 1 month–1 year: 100 mcg/kg (maximum 2 mg) 3–4 times daily
• Child 2–5 years: 1–2 mg, 3–4 times daily
• Child 6–11 years: 2 mg, 3–4 times daily
• Child 12–17 years: 2–4 mg, 3–4 times daily
• Over 18 years: 4 mg (elderly and sensitive patients initially 2 mg), 3–4 times daily, with a maximum single dose of 8 mg (but unlikely to provide much extra benefit or to be tolerated).

Indications

Asthma and other conditions associated with reversible airways obstruction.

Preparations Available

Inhalation powder, Solution for injection, Solution for infusion, Oral solution, Pressurised inhalation, Nebuliser liquid

Sizes Available

Pressurised inhaler
Ventolin 200 mcg/dose inhaler, 60 dose 

Solution for injection
Ventolin 500 mcg/1 ml, 5 ampoules

Solution for infusion
Ventolin 5 mg/5 ml, 10 ampoules 

Oral solution
Ventolin 2 mg/5 ml, 150 ml, sugar free

Pressurised inhalation
Ventolin Evohaler 100 mcg/dose, 200 dose, CFC free

Nebuliser liquid
Ventolin respirator solution 5 mg/ml, 20 ml 

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