Salbutamol is a bronchodilator drug. Its action is based on relaxation and the opening of the airways that lead to the lungs, which allows you to breathe more easily.
What is Salbutamol?
Salbutamol is used to prevent and treat wheezing, difficulty breathing, feeling of tightness in the chest and cough associated with lung problems such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
How should Salbutamol be taken?
The salbutamol is commercially available in the form of tablets or syrup for oral intake, and it is usually divided into 3 or 4 daily doses. They are also available in extended-release tablets that should be taken every 12 hours with plenty of water (or other beverage) without chewing or breaking them in half.
Initially, your doctor may prescribe a lower dose and then gradually increase the amount of medication to be taken.
Side effects associated with Salbutamol
The potential adverse effects of salbutamol may include:
- Muscle cramps
- Difficulty falling asleep or staying awake
- Sudden mood changes
- Instability
- Hyperactivity
- Headache
- Nausea
- Nervousness
- Pallor
- Loss of blood from the nose
- Uncontrollable tremors
- Changes in appetite
- Dizziness
It is recommended to seek immediate medical attention if the drug is associated with the following symptoms:
- Increased difficulty breathing
- Fast, irregular or heavy heart rate
- Difficulty swallowing
- Chest pain
- Swelling in the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles or calves
- Urticaria
- Itch
- Hoarseness
- Blisters or skin rash
Contraindications and warnings associated with the use of Salbutamol
Prior to taking salbutamol it is important to inform your doctor if:
- You have any allergies to the active substance or other drugs
- You take other medicinal products, herbal supplements and assumptions, particularly beta-blockers, digoxin, diuretics, epinephrine, oral and inhaled asthma drugs, medicines for colds, as well as antidepressants or monoamine oxidase inhibitors even when they were taken in the weeks prior to treatment with salbutamol
- You experience episodes of heart rate irregularities, heart disease, high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism, diabetes or seizures
- You are pregnant or breastfeeding
