Drug Detail:Ventolin hfa (Albuterol inhalation [ al-byoo-ter-all ])
Drug Class: Adrenergic bronchodilators
Usual Adult Dose for Asthma - Acute
Intravenous infusion solution:
- Dilute 5 mL of this drug (1000 mcg/mL) in 500 mL of Sodium Chloride Injection, or Sodium Chloride and Dextrose.
- Infusion rates can be started at 5 mcg/min, and can be increased to 10 mcg/min and 20 mcg/min at 15 at 30 minute intervals, if necessary.
Nebulizer inhalation solution:
- 2.5 mg three or four times a day by nebulization, over approximately 5 to 15 minutes.
Comments:
- Never inject the IV infusion undiluted. Do not administer in the same infusion with other medications.
- Check the IV infusion for clarity, particulate matter, precipitate, discoloration and leakage prior to administration.
- Discard unused infusion solution 24 hours after preparation.
Uses:
- Relief of severe bronchospasm associated with acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis and bronchial asthma, and acute attack of bronchospasm
- Treatment of status asthmaticus
Usual Adult Dose for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - Acute
Intravenous infusion solution:
- Dilute 5 mL of this drug (1000 mcg/mL) in 500 mL of Sodium Chloride Injection, or Sodium Chloride and Dextrose.
- Infusion rates can be started at 5 mcg/min, and can be increased to 10 mcg/min and 20 mcg/min at 15 at 30 minute intervals, if necessary.
Nebulizer inhalation solution:
- 2.5 mg three or four times a day by nebulization, over approximately 5 to 15 minutes.
Comments:
- Never inject the IV infusion undiluted. Do not administer in the same infusion with other medications.
- Check the IV infusion for clarity, particulate matter, precipitate, discoloration and leakage prior to administration.
- Discard unused infusion solution 24 hours after preparation.
Uses:
- Relief of severe bronchospasm associated with acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis and bronchial asthma, and acute attack of bronchospasm
- Treatment of status asthmaticus
Usual Adult Dose for Bronchitis
Intravenous infusion solution:
- Dilute 5 mL of this drug (1000 mcg/mL) in 500 mL of Sodium Chloride Injection, or Sodium Chloride and Dextrose.
- Infusion rates can be started at 5 mcg/min, and can be increased to 10 mcg/min and 20 mcg/min at 15 at 30 minute intervals, if necessary.
Nebulizer inhalation solution:
- 2.5 mg three or four times a day by nebulization, over approximately 5 to 15 minutes.
Comments:
- Never inject the IV infusion undiluted. Do not administer in the same infusion with other medications.
- Check the IV infusion for clarity, particulate matter, precipitate, discoloration and leakage prior to administration.
- Discard unused infusion solution 24 hours after preparation.
Uses:
- Relief of severe bronchospasm associated with acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis and bronchial asthma, and acute attack of bronchospasm
- Treatment of status asthmaticus
Usual Adult Dose for Bronchospasm Prophylaxis
Inhalation powder: 2 inhalations (180 mcg) orally 15 to 30 minutes before exercise
Inhalation capsule: 1 inhalation (200 mcg) 15 minutes before exercise
Uses: Prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm
Usual Adult Dose for Asthma - Maintenance
Inhalation powder:
- 1 or 2 inhalations (90 to 180 mcg) orally every 4 to 6 hours
Inhalation capsules:
- 1 inhalation (200 mcg) orally every 4 to 6 hours
- Maximum dose: 4 inhalations (800 mcg) per day
Nebulizer inhalation solution:
- 2.5 mg three or four times a day by nebulization, over approximately 5 to 15 minutes
Oral tablets:
Immediate-release tablets:
- Initial dose: 2 mg or 4 mg orally three or four times a day. Dosage may be cautiously increased stepwise up to a maximum of 8 mg four times a day as tolerated (maximum of 32 mg/day).
- Elderly patients and those sensitive to beta-adrenergic stimulators: The initial dosage should be restricted to 2 mg three or four times a day; dosage may be gradually increased up to 8 mg three or four times a day.
Extended-release tablets:
- Initial dose: 4 mg or 8 mg orally every 12 hours. Dosage may be cautiously increased stepwise under the control of the supervising physician to a maximum 32 mg/day in divided doses (e.g., every 12 hours). In unusual circumstances, such as adults of low body weight, use a starting dosage of 4 mg every 12 hours and progress to 8 mg every 12 hours according to response.
Oral syrup:
- Initial dose: 2 mg or 4 mg orally three or four times a day. Dosage may be cautiously increased stepwise up to a maximum of 8 mg four times a day as tolerated.
- Elderly patients and those sensitive to beta-adrenergic stimulators: The initial dosage should be restricted to 2 mg three or four times a day and individually adjusted thereafter.
Uses:
- Treatment or prevention of bronchospasm due to bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis and other chronic bronchopulmonary disorders in which bronchospasm is a complicating factor
- Relief of bronchospasm in patients with reversible obstructive airway disease
Usual Adult Dose for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - Maintenance
Inhalation powder:
- 1 or 2 inhalations (90 to 180 mcg) orally every 4 to 6 hours
Inhalation capsules:
- 1 inhalation (200 mcg) orally every 4 to 6 hours
- Maximum dose: 4 inhalations (800 mcg) per day
Nebulizer inhalation solution:
- 2.5 mg three or four times a day by nebulization, over approximately 5 to 15 minutes
Oral tablets:
Immediate-release tablets:
- Initial dose: 2 mg or 4 mg orally three or four times a day. Dosage may be cautiously increased stepwise up to a maximum of 8 mg four times a day as tolerated (maximum of 32 mg/day).
- Elderly patients and those sensitive to beta-adrenergic stimulators: The initial dosage should be restricted to 2 mg three or four times a day; dosage may be gradually increased up to 8 mg three or four times a day.
Extended-release tablets:
- Initial dose: 4 mg or 8 mg orally every 12 hours. Dosage may be cautiously increased stepwise under the control of the supervising physician to a maximum 32 mg/day in divided doses (e.g., every 12 hours). In unusual circumstances, such as adults of low body weight, use a starting dosage of 4 mg every 12 hours and progress to 8 mg every 12 hours according to response.
Oral syrup:
- Initial dose: 2 mg or 4 mg orally three or four times a day. Dosage may be cautiously increased stepwise up to a maximum of 8 mg four times a day as tolerated.
- Elderly patients and those sensitive to beta-adrenergic stimulators: The initial dosage should be restricted to 2 mg three or four times a day and individually adjusted thereafter.
Uses:
- Treatment or prevention of bronchospasm due to bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis and other chronic bronchopulmonary disorders in which bronchospasm is a complicating factor
- Relief of bronchospasm in patients with reversible obstructive airway disease
Usual Adult Dose for Reversible Airways Disease - Maintenance
Inhalation powder:
- 1 or 2 inhalations (90 to 180 mcg) orally every 4 to 6 hours
Inhalation capsules:
- 1 inhalation (200 mcg) orally every 4 to 6 hours
- Maximum dose: 4 inhalations (800 mcg) per day
Nebulizer inhalation solution:
- 2.5 mg three or four times a day by nebulization, over approximately 5 to 15 minutes
Oral tablets:
Immediate-release tablets:
- Initial dose: 2 mg or 4 mg orally three or four times a day. Dosage may be cautiously increased stepwise up to a maximum of 8 mg four times a day as tolerated (maximum of 32 mg/day).
- Elderly patients and those sensitive to beta-adrenergic stimulators: The initial dosage should be restricted to 2 mg three or four times a day; dosage may be gradually increased up to 8 mg three or four times a day.
Extended-release tablets:
- Initial dose: 4 mg or 8 mg orally every 12 hours. Dosage may be cautiously increased stepwise under the control of the supervising physician to a maximum 32 mg/day in divided doses (e.g., every 12 hours). In unusual circumstances, such as adults of low body weight, use a starting dosage of 4 mg every 12 hours and progress to 8 mg every 12 hours according to response.
Oral syrup:
- Initial dose: 2 mg or 4 mg orally three or four times a day. Dosage may be cautiously increased stepwise up to a maximum of 8 mg four times a day as tolerated.
- Elderly patients and those sensitive to beta-adrenergic stimulators: The initial dosage should be restricted to 2 mg three or four times a day and individually adjusted thereafter.
Uses:
- Treatment or prevention of bronchospasm due to bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis and other chronic bronchopulmonary disorders in which bronchospasm is a complicating factor
- Relief of bronchospasm in patients with reversible obstructive airway disease
Usual Pediatric Dose for Asthma - Acute
Inhalation powder and capsules:
Less than 4 years: Not indicated
4 years or older:
- Inhalation powder: 1 or 2 inhalations (90 or 180 mcg) orally every 4 to 6 hours
- Inhalation capsules:1 inhalation (200 mcg) orally every 4 to 6 hours. The total daily dose should not exceed 4 inhalations (800 mcg).
Nebulizer inhalation solution:
Less than 2 years: Not indicated
2 to 12 years:
- Less than 15 kg: 0.1 to 0.15 mg/kg/dose (one 3 mL unit-dose vial of 1.25 mg or 0.63 mg inhalation solution) by nebulization. The appropriate volume of the 0.5% inhalation solution should be diluted in sterile normal saline solution to a total of 3 mL prior administration. Dosing should not exceed 2.5 mg three to four times daily.
- 15 kg or more: 2.5 mg (one 3 mL unit-dose vial of 0.0083%) three or four times a day by nebulization, over approximately 5 to 15 minutes. The 0.5% inhalation solution should be diluted with 2.5 mL of sterile normal saline solution
13 years or older:
- Inhalation solution 0.5% (5 mg/mL): 2.5 mg (0.5 mL diluted with 2.5 mL of sterile saline solution) three or four times a day by nebulization, over approximately 5 to 15 minutes
Use: Relief of bronchospasm in patients with reversible obstructive airway disease and acute attacks of bronchospasm
Usual Pediatric Dose for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - Acute
Inhalation powder and capsules:
Less than 4 years: Not indicated
4 years or older:
- Inhalation powder: 1 or 2 inhalations (90 or 180 mcg) orally every 4 to 6 hours
- Inhalation capsules:1 inhalation (200 mcg) orally every 4 to 6 hours. The total daily dose should not exceed 4 inhalations (800 mcg).
Nebulizer inhalation solution:
Less than 2 years: Not indicated
2 to 12 years:
- Less than 15 kg: 0.1 to 0.15 mg/kg/dose (one 3 mL unit-dose vial of 1.25 mg or 0.63 mg inhalation solution) by nebulization. The appropriate volume of the 0.5% inhalation solution should be diluted in sterile normal saline solution to a total of 3 mL prior administration. Dosing should not exceed 2.5 mg three to four times daily.
- 15 kg or more: 2.5 mg (one 3 mL unit-dose vial of 0.0083%) three or four times a day by nebulization, over approximately 5 to 15 minutes. The 0.5% inhalation solution should be diluted with 2.5 mL of sterile normal saline solution
13 years or older:
- Inhalation solution 0.5% (5 mg/mL): 2.5 mg (0.5 mL diluted with 2.5 mL of sterile saline solution) three or four times a day by nebulization, over approximately 5 to 15 minutes
Use: Relief of bronchospasm in patients with reversible obstructive airway disease and acute attacks of bronchospasm
Usual Pediatric Dose for Bronchitis
Inhalation powder and capsules:
Less than 4 years: Not indicated
4 years or older:
- Inhalation powder: 1 or 2 inhalations (90 or 180 mcg) orally every 4 to 6 hours
- Inhalation capsules:1 inhalation (200 mcg) orally every 4 to 6 hours. The total daily dose should not exceed 4 inhalations (800 mcg).
Nebulizer inhalation solution:
Less than 2 years: Not indicated
2 to 12 years:
- Less than 15 kg: 0.1 to 0.15 mg/kg/dose (one 3 mL unit-dose vial of 1.25 mg or 0.63 mg inhalation solution) by nebulization. The appropriate volume of the 0.5% inhalation solution should be diluted in sterile normal saline solution to a total of 3 mL prior administration. Dosing should not exceed 2.5 mg three to four times daily.
- 15 kg or more: 2.5 mg (one 3 mL unit-dose vial of 0.0083%) three or four times a day by nebulization, over approximately 5 to 15 minutes. The 0.5% inhalation solution should be diluted with 2.5 mL of sterile normal saline solution
13 years or older:
- Inhalation solution 0.5% (5 mg/mL): 2.5 mg (0.5 mL diluted with 2.5 mL of sterile saline solution) three or four times a day by nebulization, over approximately 5 to 15 minutes
Use: Relief of bronchospasm in patients with reversible obstructive airway disease and acute attacks of bronchospasm
Usual Pediatric Dose for Bronchospasm Prophylaxis
Less than 4 years: Not indicated
4 years or older:
- Inhalation powder: 2 inhalations (180 mcg) orally 15 to 30 minutes before exercise
- Inhalation capsule: 1 inhalation (200 mcg) 15 minutes before exercise
Uses: Prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm
Usual Pediatric Dose for Asthma - Maintenance
Inhalation powder and capsules:
Less than 4 years: Not indicated
4 years or older:
- Inhalation powder: 1 or 2 inhalations (90 or 180 mcg) orally every 4 to 6 hours
- Inhalation capsules:1 inhalation (200 mcg) orally every 4 to 6 hours. The total daily dose should not exceed 4 inhalations (800 mcg).
Nebulizer inhalation solution:
Less than 2 years: Not indicated
2 to 12 years:
- Less than 15 kg: 0.1 to 0.15 mg/kg/dose (one 3 mL unit-dose vial of 1.25 mg or 0.63 mg inhalation solution) by nebulization. The appropriate volume of the 0.5% inhalation solution should be diluted in sterile normal saline solution to a total of 3 mL prior administration. Dosing should not exceed 2.5 mg three to four times daily.
- 15 kg or more: 2.5 mg (one 3 mL unit-dose vial of 0.0083%) three or four times a day by nebulization, over approximately 5 to 15 minutes. The 0.5% inhalation solution should be diluted with 2.5 mL of sterile normal saline solution
13 years or older:
- Inhalation solution 0.5% (5 mg/mL): 2.5 mg (0.5 mL diluted with 2.5 mL of sterile saline solution) three or four times a day by nebulization, over approximately 5 to 15 minutes.
Oral Tablets:
Less than 6 years: Not indicated
6 to 12 years:
- Immediate-release tablets: Initial dose: 2 mg orally three or four times a day. Dosage may be cautiously increased stepwise, but not to exceed 24 mg/day (given in divided doses).
- Extended-release tablets: Initial dose: 4 mg orally every 12 hours. Dosage may be cautiously increased stepwise under the control of the supervising physician to a maximum 24 mg/day in divided doses (e.g., every 12 hours).
13 years or older:
- Immediate-release tablets: Initial dose: 2 mg or 4 mg orally three or four times a day. Dosage may be cautiously increased stepwise up to a maximum of 8 mg four times a day as tolerated (maximum of 32 mg/day).
- Extended-release tablets: Initial dose: 4 mg or 8 mg orally every 12 hours. Dosage may be cautiously increased stepwise under the control of the supervising physician to a maximum 32 mg/day in divided doses (e.g., every 12 hours).
Oral syrup:
- Less than 2 years: Not indicated
- 2 to 5 years: Initial dose: 0.1 mg/kg (do not exceed 2 mg) orally three times a day. Dosage may be increased stepwise to 0.2 mg/kg three times a day. A maximum dose of 4 mg three times a day should not be exceeded.
- 6 to 14 years: Initial dose: 2 mg orally three or four times a day. Dosage may be cautiously increased stepwise, but not exceed 24 mg/day (in divided doses).
- 15 years or older: Initial dose: 2 mg or 4 mg orally three or four times a day. Dosage may be cautiously increased stepwise up to a maximum of 8 mg four times a day as tolerated.
Uses: Treatment or prevention of bronchospasm due to bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis and other chronic bronchopulmonary disorders in which bronchospasm is a complicating factor
Usual Pediatric Dose for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - Maintenance
Inhalation powder and capsules:
Less than 4 years: Not indicated
4 years or older:
- Inhalation powder: 1 or 2 inhalations (90 or 180 mcg) orally every 4 to 6 hours
- Inhalation capsules:1 inhalation (200 mcg) orally every 4 to 6 hours. The total daily dose should not exceed 4 inhalations (800 mcg).
Nebulizer inhalation solution:
Less than 2 years: Not indicated
2 to 12 years:
- Less than 15 kg: 0.1 to 0.15 mg/kg/dose (one 3 mL unit-dose vial of 1.25 mg or 0.63 mg inhalation solution) by nebulization. The appropriate volume of the 0.5% inhalation solution should be diluted in sterile normal saline solution to a total of 3 mL prior administration. Dosing should not exceed 2.5 mg three to four times daily.
- 15 kg or more: 2.5 mg (one 3 mL unit-dose vial of 0.0083%) three or four times a day by nebulization, over approximately 5 to 15 minutes. The 0.5% inhalation solution should be diluted with 2.5 mL of sterile normal saline solution
13 years or older:
- Inhalation solution 0.5% (5 mg/mL): 2.5 mg (0.5 mL diluted with 2.5 mL of sterile saline solution) three or four times a day by nebulization, over approximately 5 to 15 minutes.
Oral Tablets:
Less than 6 years: Not indicated
6 to 12 years:
- Immediate-release tablets: Initial dose: 2 mg orally three or four times a day. Dosage may be cautiously increased stepwise, but not to exceed 24 mg/day (given in divided doses).
- Extended-release tablets: Initial dose: 4 mg orally every 12 hours. Dosage may be cautiously increased stepwise under the control of the supervising physician to a maximum 24 mg/day in divided doses (e.g., every 12 hours).
13 years or older:
- Immediate-release tablets: Initial dose: 2 mg or 4 mg orally three or four times a day. Dosage may be cautiously increased stepwise up to a maximum of 8 mg four times a day as tolerated (maximum of 32 mg/day).
- Extended-release tablets: Initial dose: 4 mg or 8 mg orally every 12 hours. Dosage may be cautiously increased stepwise under the control of the supervising physician to a maximum 32 mg/day in divided doses (e.g., every 12 hours).
Oral syrup:
- Less than 2 years: Not indicated
- 2 to 5 years: Initial dose: 0.1 mg/kg (do not exceed 2 mg) orally three times a day. Dosage may be increased stepwise to 0.2 mg/kg three times a day. A maximum dose of 4 mg three times a day should not be exceeded.
- 6 to 14 years: Initial dose: 2 mg orally three or four times a day. Dosage may be cautiously increased stepwise, but not exceed 24 mg/day (in divided doses).
- 15 years or older: Initial dose: 2 mg or 4 mg orally three or four times a day. Dosage may be cautiously increased stepwise up to a maximum of 8 mg four times a day as tolerated.
Uses: Treatment or prevention of bronchospasm due to bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis and other chronic bronchopulmonary disorders in which bronchospasm is a complicating factor
Usual Pediatric Dose for Reversible Airways Disease - Maintenance
Inhalation powder and capsules:
Less than 4 years: Not indicated
4 years or older:
- Inhalation powder: 1 or 2 inhalations (90 or 180 mcg) orally every 4 to 6 hours
- Inhalation capsules:1 inhalation (200 mcg) orally every 4 to 6 hours. The total daily dose should not exceed 4 inhalations (800 mcg).
Nebulizer inhalation solution:
Less than 2 years: Not indicated
2 to 12 years:
- Less than 15 kg: 0.1 to 0.15 mg/kg/dose (one 3 mL unit-dose vial of 1.25 mg or 0.63 mg inhalation solution) by nebulization. The appropriate volume of the 0.5% inhalation solution should be diluted in sterile normal saline solution to a total of 3 mL prior administration. Dosing should not exceed 2.5 mg three to four times daily.
- 15 kg or more: 2.5 mg (one 3 mL unit-dose vial of 0.0083%) three or four times a day by nebulization, over approximately 5 to 15 minutes. The 0.5% inhalation solution should be diluted with 2.5 mL of sterile normal saline solution
13 years or older:
- Inhalation solution 0.5% (5 mg/mL): 2.5 mg (0.5 mL diluted with 2.5 mL of sterile saline solution) three or four times a day by nebulization, over approximately 5 to 15 minutes.
Oral Tablets:
Less than 6 years: Not indicated
6 to 12 years:
- Immediate-release tablets: Initial dose: 2 mg orally three or four times a day. Dosage may be cautiously increased stepwise, but not to exceed 24 mg/day (given in divided doses).
- Extended-release tablets: Initial dose: 4 mg orally every 12 hours. Dosage may be cautiously increased stepwise under the control of the supervising physician to a maximum 24 mg/day in divided doses (e.g., every 12 hours).
13 years or older:
- Immediate-release tablets: Initial dose: 2 mg or 4 mg orally three or four times a day. Dosage may be cautiously increased stepwise up to a maximum of 8 mg four times a day as tolerated (maximum of 32 mg/day).
- Extended-release tablets: Initial dose: 4 mg or 8 mg orally every 12 hours. Dosage may be cautiously increased stepwise under the control of the supervising physician to a maximum 32 mg/day in divided doses (e.g., every 12 hours).
Oral syrup:
- Less than 2 years: Not indicated
- 2 to 5 years: Initial dose: 0.1 mg/kg (do not exceed 2 mg) orally three times a day. Dosage may be increased stepwise to 0.2 mg/kg three times a day. A maximum dose of 4 mg three times a day should not be exceeded.
- 6 to 14 years: Initial dose: 2 mg orally three or four times a day. Dosage may be cautiously increased stepwise, but not exceed 24 mg/day (in divided doses).
- 15 years or older: Initial dose: 2 mg or 4 mg orally three or four times a day. Dosage may be cautiously increased stepwise up to a maximum of 8 mg four times a day as tolerated.
Uses: Treatment or prevention of bronchospasm due to bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis and other chronic bronchopulmonary disorders in which bronchospasm is a complicating factor
Renal Dose Adjustments
Data not available
Liver Dose Adjustments
Data not available
Precautions
Inhalation solution and oral syrup:
Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients younger than 2 years.
Inhalation powder and inhalation capsules:
Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients younger than 4 years.
Immediate and extended release oral tablet:
Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients younger than 6 years.
Intravenous infusion:
Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients younger than 18 years.
Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.
Dialysis
Data not available
Other Comments
Administration advice:
- Inhalation solution, powder, and capsules are for oral inhalation only.
- More frequent administration or a larger number of inhalations are not recommended.
- Oral tablets should not be chewed or crushed; tablets should be swallowed whole with liquids.
- The manufacturer product information should be consulted for instructions of use.
Inhalation powder HFA:
- Prime the inhalation device before using for the first time, when the inhaler has not been used for more than 2 weeks, or when the inhaler has been dropped.
- To prime, release 4 sprays into the air away from the face, shaking well before each spray.
- To ensure proper dosing and to prevent actuator orifice blockage, wash the actuator with warm water and let it air-dry completely at least once a week.
Inhalation powder RESPICLICK:
- Inhaler does not require priming.
- Keep the inhaler clean and dry at all times. Never wash or put any part of the inhaler in water.
Switching from oral immediate release to extended release products:
- The administration of one 4 mg extended-release tablet every 12 hours is comparable to one 2 mg immediate tablet every 6 hours. Multiples of this regimen up to the maximum recommended daily dose also apply.
Patient advice:
- Other inhaled drugs and asthma medications should be taken only as directed by the physician while taking this drug.
- Seek medical advice if short-acting relief bronchodilator treatment becomes less effective, or more inhalations than usual is required. Do not increase the dose or its frequency of administration.
Frequently asked questions
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