Salbutamol
- What is it for
Salbutamol is used to relieve breathlessness in patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Asthma and COPD affects the lungs which makes it harder for the person to breathe as the disease gets worse over time. Salbutamol helps open up the airway quickly, making it easier for one to breathe. Salbutamol helps to relieve breathlessness quickly and is normally referred to as a 'reliever' inhaler. It does not prevent attacks from happening.
Salbutamol
- Side Effects, Precautions, and Contraindications
What side effects can
Salbutamol
cause?
Some common side effects of salbutamol include:
- Fast heartbeat
- Headache
- Uncontrolled shaking (tremor)
- Nervousness
- Restlessness
Check with your doctor if any of these symptoms are serious and do not go away.
In very rare cases, some patients might experience the following:
- Irregular heartbeat, where your heartbeat is uneven or has an extra beat
- Low blood potassium level, where you may experience the following symptoms:
The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:
- Swollen face/eyes/lips/ tongue
- Difficulty in breathing
- Itchy skin rashes over your whole body
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.
Before taking
Salbutamol
, what precautions must I follow?
Inform your health care professional if:
- You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients in this medication
- You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
- You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies
You have any of the following medication conditions:
- Glaucoma (a type of eye condition where the pressure in the eye is increased)
- High blood pressure
- Heart conditions such as history of chest pain or heart attack, heart failure or irregular heartbeat
- Hyperthyroidism (a condition where is too much thyroid hormone in the body)
- Kidney problems
Salbutamol
- Storage
How should I store
Salbutamol
?
- Keep away from children
- Keep in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight
For the salbutamol inhaler, keep the cap on when not in use.
Once the bottle of respiratory solution is opened, throw away the contents after one month.
How should I dispose of
Salbutamol
safely?
Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin