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Drug Details

Salbutamol Injection

• Drug Class Description
  Selective b2 -agonists (beta- agonists, beta-adrenoceptor stimulants).
• Generic Name
  Generic - obstetrics
• Presentation
  Injection, salbutamol 100 micrograms per mL.
• Description
  Solution for injection in vials.
• Indications
  For the inhibition of uncomplicated premature labour between 24 and 33 weeks of gestation.
• Adult Dosage
  

  By intravenous infusion, 10 micrograms per minute, gradually increased at 10 minute intervals until there is a response, then slowly increased, to a maximum of 45 micrograms per minute until contractions have ceased. 

  By intravenous injection, 100 - 250 microgram (1 - 1.25mL) repeated according to response; then by mouth 4mg every four to six hours.

• Child Dosage
  Not applicable.
• Contra Indications
  

  Hypersensitivity to salbutamol, hyperthyroidism, cardiovascular disease (such as ischaemic heart disease, arrhythmia or disease, arrhythmia or tachycardia) and occlusive vascular disorders (such as arteriosclerosis, hypertension or aneurysms). Patients with angina pectoris may experience anginal pain following use of a sympathomimetic agent.

  Also, care is required in patients undergoing anaesthesia with halogenated anaesthetics (may produce ventricular fibrillation) . Additional contraindications for its use in premature labour are eclampsia and severe pre- eclampsia, intra-uterine infection, intra-uterine foetal death, antepartum haemorrhage (requires immediate delivery), placenta praevia, cord compression.

  The product should not be used in first or second trimester. Use is also contra- indicated when complications exist such as multiple pregnancies, threatened abortion and cardiac disease.

• Special Precautions
  

  Hypokalaemia. Severe asthma - monitor plasma potassium levels. Diabetes. This product should be used with an accurate infusion device when given by intravenous infusion.

• Interactions
  Potassium depleting drugs, digoxin, ipratropium, methyldopa, MAOIs, sulphamethoxazole, theophylline.
• Adverse Drug Reactions
  

  Fine tremor of skeletal muscle (particularly the hands), palpitations, muscle cramps, tachycardia, tenseness, headaches and peripheral vasodilation. Also, nausea, vomiting, adverse cardiac effects, adverse metabolic effects and pulmonary oedema. Hypokalaemia, retinopathy in premature infants and glaucoma, tachycardia, cardiac arrhythmias, visual hallucinations. Hypersensitivity reactions.