Salbutamol injectable

Therapeutic action

Uterine relaxant.

Indications

Threatened premature labour.

Forms and strengths, route of administration

0.5 mg in 1 ml ampoule (0.5 mg/ml) for IV infusion.

Dosage

• Dilute 5 mg (10 ampoules of 0.5 mg) in 500 ml of 5% glucose or 0.9% sodium chloride to obtain a solution of 10 micrograms/ml.
• Start infusion at the rate of 15 to 20 micrograms/minute (30 to 40 drops/minute).
• If contractions persist, increase the rate by 10 to 20 drops/minute every 30 minutes until uterine contractions cease.
• Do not exceed 45 micrograms/minute (90 drops/minute).
• Continue for one hour after contractions have ceased, then reduce the rate by half every 6 hours.

Duration

48 hours maximum.

Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions

• Do not administer to patients with pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, uterine haemorrhage, intra-uterine infection, intra-uterine foetal death, placenta praevia, placental abruption, rupture of membranes, multiple pregnancy, or severe cardiopathy.
• Administer with caution to patients with diabetes or hyperthyroidism.
• Do not combine with nifedipine.
• May cause pulmonary oedema, myocardial ischemia, foetal and maternal tachycardia, hypotension, tremor, headache, hypokalaemia, and hyperglycaemia.
• Monitor maternal pulse regularly. Reduce the infusion rate in the event of maternal tachycardia over 120/minute.
• Pregnancy: no contra-indication.
• Breast-feeding: avoid.