Adult Dosing
Bronchospasm relief or prevention of asthmatic symptoms
- TAB: Initial 2-4 mg PO tid/qid (Max: 32 mg/day)
- ETABS: 4-8 mg PO bid (Max: 32 mg/day)
- SYRUP: Initial 2-4 mg PO tid/qid (16 mg/day when patient fails to respond)
Elderly Patients and Those Sensitive to Beta-adrenergic Stimulators
- TAB: Initial 2 mg PO tid/qid, may increase gradually; max 8mg tid/qid
- SYRUP: Initial 2 mg PO tid/qid, individually adjusted thereafter
Pediatric Dosing
Bronchospasm relief or prevention of asthmatic symptoms
Child > 12 yrs
- TAB: Initial 2-4 mg PO tid/qid (Max: 32 mg/day)
- ETABS: 4-8 mg PO bid (Max: 32 mg/day)
- SYRUP: Initial 2-4 mg PO tid/qid (16 mg/day when patient fails to respond)
Child
- 2-6 yrs
- SYRUP: Initial 0.1 mg/kg PO tid (Max: 2 mg PO tid). Titrate: increase to 0.2 mg/kg PO tid (Max: 4 mg PO tid)
- TAB: Not recommended
- 6-12 yrs
- TAB: Initial 2 mg PO tid/qid (Max: 24 mg/day)
- ETABS: 4 mg PO q12hrs (Max: 24 mg/day)
- SYRUP: 2 mg tid/qid (Max: 24 mg/day)
[Outline]
Renal Dose Adjustment (Based on CrCl)
- 10-50 (mL/min): 25% reduction of dose recommended
- < 10: 50% reduction of dose recommended
Hepatic Dose Adjustment
- Hepatic impairment: Dose adjustments not defined
See Supplemental Patient Information
- Excessive chronic use likely increases asthma mortality. It is important in cases of persistent asthma that this not be the primary therapy – instead other preventive therapies such as inhaled corticosteroids should be the mainstay of therapy
- Albuterol tablets can produce paradoxical bronchospasm, which may be life threatening; if paradoxical bronchospasm occurs, discontinue therapy and alternative therapy should be instituted
Cautions: Use cautiously in:
- Patients sensitive to sympathomimetic drugs
- Concomitant sympathomimetic drugs
- Cardiovascular disorders (coronary insufficiency, cardiac arrhythmias, HTN)
- Convulsive disorders
- Hypokalemia
- Diabetes mellitus
- Hyperthyroidism
- Pheochromocytoma
- Pregnancy
- Elderly patients
- Concomitant MAOI use within 2 weeks
- Concomitant Digoxin
- Ketoacidosis
Supplemental Patient Information
- Instruct patients not to take albuterol more frequently than recommended
Pregnancy Category:C
Breastfeeding: It is not known whether albuterol is excreted in breast milk nor whether it has a harmful effect on the newborn; decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.
US Trade Name(s)
US Availability
albuterol (generic)
- TABS: 2, 4 mg
- ETABS: 4, 8 mg
- SYRUP: 2 mg/5 mL
VoSpire ER
Canadian Trade Name(s)
Canadian Availability
Salbutamol sulfate (generic)
- TABS: 2, 4 mg
- SOLN: 0.4 mg/mL
Apo-salvent
UK Trade Name(s)
UK Availability
Albuterol (generic)
- TABS: 2 mg, 4 mg
- SYRP: 2 mg/5 mL
Ventmax SR
Ventolin
Australian Trade Name(s)
Australian Availability
Ventolin
[Outline]
Pricing data from www.DrugStore.com in U.S.A.
- VoSpire ER 4 MG TB12 [Bottle] (DAVA PHARMACEUTICALS)
30 mg = $78.75
90 mg = $219.98 - Albuterol Sulfate 4 MG TABS [Bottle] (MYLAN)
100 mg = $31.99
300 mg = $87.97 - VoSpire ER 8 MG TB12 [Bottle] (DAVA PHARMACEUTICALS)
60 mg = $256
180 mg = $729.97
Warning: This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit drugstore.com.