Salbutamol

What Are The Uses Of Salbutamol ?

Salbutamol is used to open up the medium and large airways in lungs. It is used for treating asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and exercise-induced bronchospasm (wheezing caused by exercise).

Sometimes, It is also used to treat high blood potassium levels.

It relieves cough, wheezing, troubled breathing and shortness of breath by increasing the flow of air through the bronchial tubes.

It is mostly used by inhaler or nebulizer and is also available as pill and intravenous solution. Onset of action of the inhaled version is typically within 15 minutes and lasts for two to six hours.

What Are The Side Effects Of Salbutamol ?

Pl. inform your doctor immediately if you face any of the following symptoms:

• Feeling slightly shaky
• Headache
• Flushing
• Muscle cramps (uncommon with inhaled salbutamol)
• Rapid/ uneven heart beat
• Irritation/ dryness of the mouth & throat (inhaled salbutamol only).
• Hypokalaemia (low blood potassium levels): It can lead to muscle cramps, weakness, and in severe cases it can cause death as patients stop breathing.
• Restlessness, Dizziness
• Bronchospasm (inhaled salbutamol only).
• Lactic acidosis

What Are The Contraindications Of Salbutamol ?

Salbutamol is contraindicated in persons with:

• A history of hypersensitivity reaction (rash, urticaria, angioedema,) to salbutamol or any of its components.
• Pre-existing cardiac tachyarrhythmia (too fast heartbeat, regular or irregular).