Albuterol Dosage Guide

Albuterol Dosage Guide

ALBUTEROL (al-byoo-ter-awl) AccuNeb, Proventil, Ventodisk, Ventolin bronchodilator Pregnancy Category C

•  INDICATIONS:

Asthma or COPD-induced reversible airway obstruction, acute bronchospasm, prevention of exerciseinduced bronchospasm, long-term control of chronic/persistent bronchospasm.

• Therapeutic Effects:  

Bronchodilation.

• DOSAGE Guide

PO: Adults and Children > 12: 2–4 mg 3–4 times daily; 4–8 mg twice daily for extended-release tablets.

Children 6–12 yr: 2 mg 3–4 times daily.

Children 2–6 yr: 0.1 mg/kg 3 times daily.

Geriatrics: 2 mg 3–4 times daily.

Inhalation: Adults and Children 2–12 yr: Via nebulization or IPPB: 1.25–2.5 mg 3–4 times daily.

Adults and Children >4 yr: Via Rotahaler inhalation device: 200 ug as Ventolin Rotacaps q 4–6 h up to 400 ug q 4–6 h.

Adults and Children > 4 yr: Via metered-dose inhaler—2 inhalations q 4–6 h.

• ADMINISTRATION:

PO: Administer oral medication with meals to minimize gastric irritation.

Inhalation: Allow at least 1 minute between inhalations of aerosol medication. For nebulization or IPPB, the 0.5–0.83-, 1-, and 2-mg/mL solutions do not require dilution before administration. The 5 mg/mL solution must be diluted with 2.5 mL of 0.9% NaCl for inhalation.

• ADVERSE REACTIONS AND SIDE EFFECTS:

Nervousness, restlessness, tremor, chest pain, palpitations, angina, arrhythmias, hypertension, hypokalemia.

• CONTRAINDICATIONS:

Hypersensitivity to adrenergic amines or hypersensitivity to fluorocarbons inhaler.

• CAUTIONS:

Excessive use may lead to tolerance and paradoxical bronchospasm. • Use with MAO inhibitors may lead to hypertensive crisis. • Beta-blockers may negate therapeutic effect.