ASTHALIN RESPIRATOR SOLUTION is for inhalation use only, to be inhaled in through the mouth via a suitable nebulizer, as instructed by a physician. The solution should not be injected or swallowed. ASTHALIN RESPIRATOR SOLUTION may be administered intermittently or continuously. Salbutamol`s duration of action is 4-6 hours in most patients.
Intermittent Administration
Adults
ASTHALIN RESPIRATOR SOLUTION 0.5 ml (2.5 mg of salbutamol) should be diluted to a final volume of 2 ml with sterile normal saline. This may be increased to 1 ml (5 mg of salbutamol), diluted to a final volume of 2.5 ml. The resulting solution is inhaled from a suitably driven nebulizer until aerosol generation ceases. When using a correctly matched nebulizer and driving source, this should take about 10 minutes.
ASTHALIN RESPIRATOR SOLUTION may be used undiluted for intermittent administration. For this, 2 ml of ASTHALIN RESPIRATOR SOLUTION (10 mg of salbutamol) is placed in the nebulizer and the patient is allowed to inhale the nebulized solution until bronchodialation is achieved. This usually takes 3-5 minutes. Some adult patients may require higher doses of salbutamol up to 10 mg, in which case, nebulization of the undiluted solution may continue until aerosol generation ceases.
Children
The same mode of administration for intermittent administration is also applicable to children. The minimum starting dosage for children below the age of 12 years is 0.5 ml (2.5 mg of salbutamol), diluted to 2-2.5 ml with sterile normal saline. Some children may, however, require higher doses of salbutamol up to 5 mg. Intermittent treatment may be repeated up to four times daily.
Continuous Administration
ASTHALIN RESPIRATOR SOLUTION is diluted with sterile normal saline to contain 50-100 mcg of salbutamol per ml (1-2 ml solution made up to 100 ml with diluents). The diluted solution is administered as an aerosol by a suitably driven nebulizer. The usual rate of administration is 1-2 mg per hour.
In infants below 18 months of age, the clinical efficacy of nebulized salbutamol is uncertain. As transient hypoxaemia may occur, supplemental oxygen therapy should be considered. |
