Salbutamol child dose

[JayEm]

Quick question: is six puffs every 4-6 hours of salbutamol 100mcg an overdose for a 10 year old? No info on whether its moderate or severe asthma.

[Fleegle]

In acute circumstances, I have come across a high dosage like this before. Suggest contact prescriber if possible.

Fleeg.

[JayEm]

Cheers, the BNFc doesn't state a max daily dose which left me (pre-reg) confused at work today. The locum wasn't much help either...!

[Fleegle]

OK..clearly not an emergency post then! In my experience, salbutamol given this way would generally be only as an emergency measure in an acute asthma attack, in order to quickly free the airways in an attempt to restore normal breathing. The instruction of six puffs q46h doesn't indicate an emergency, as 4 to 6 hours between doses, hence suggest follow-up with prescriber. Clearly if a chronic asthmatic condition is deemed to be present, a regular steroid should be introduced bd, and patient monitored until salbutamol is required for 'breakthrough' wheeze only.

Welcome to the forum JayEm!

Fleeg.

[bobbin]

In acute circumstances, I have come across a high dosage like this before. Suggest contact prescriber if possible.

Fleeg.

True. High doses via an inhaler are used as an alternative to a nebuliser in some circumstances.

[El-loco]

I have come across up to ten puffs PRN quite frequently prescribed by one surgery. This is the dose for treating acute asthma.

For a young child the side effects of salbutamol are probably less dangerous than they would be for an elderly person with hypertension but don't quote me on this.

For some children living with acute asthma must be "normal".