Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Salbutamol sulfate may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
for Salbutamol Nebuliser Solution is a liquid which, when used in a nebulising device, is converted into a mist which can then be inhaled. It contains the active ingredient salbutamol (salbutamol sulphate) which belongs to a group of medicines called fast-acting bronchodilator. These are used to make breathing easier by relaxing and opening up the airways in the lungs. Salbutamol is used for the management of the symptoms of severe wheeziness or other chest conditions (such as asthma or bronchitis) particularly when no other treatment seem to work. They are also used to treat severe attacks of asthma.
e Salbutamol Nebuliser Solution Do not use Salbutamol Nebuliser Solution if:
your asthma is active (for example you have frequent symptoms or flare ups such as breathlessness that makes speaking, eating or sleeping difficult, cough, wheezing, tight chest or limited physical ability). Your doctor right away may start or increase a medicine to control
• • • • • • • •
your asthma such as an inhaled corticosteroid. you are taking xanthine derivatives (such as theophylline) or steroids to treat asthma. you are taking water tablets (diuretics), sometimes used to treat high blood pressure or a heart condition. you have taken other drugs used to relieve stuffy nose (such as ephedrine or pseudoephedrine) or other medicines used to treat asthma. you have high blood pressure you have a history of severe heart problems e. g. arrhythmia, severe heart failure you are diabetic you have an overactive thyroid use another nebuliser solution e.g. ipratropium bromide, make sure the mist does not get in your eyes. This can be prevented by using a mouthpiece instead of a face mask or goggles. If your breathing or wheezing gets worse or have chest pain straight after taking this medicine, stop using it immediately, and tell your doctor as soon as possible.
This solution is for inhalation only and it should not be swallowed or used for injection. You should tell your doctor if your asthma seems to be getting worse, or if this medicine stops working. You should not increase the dose without advice from your doctor. Other medicines and Salbutamol Nebuliser Solution Tell your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription. This includes herbal medicines. Remember to take this medicine with you if you go to hospital. In particular tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you are taking:
do not inject or swallow the liquid. Salbutamol Nebuliser Solution should only be inhaled using your nebuliser do not let the liquid, or the mist produced by the nebuliser get into your eyes. You can wear glasses or goggles to protect them your doctor, nurse or pharmacist should show you how to use your medicine each small plastic container (Ampoule) contains some liquid the liquid is put into a nebuliser. This makes a fine mist for you to breathe in through a face mask
•
or mouthpiece use your nebuliser in a well ventilated room as some of the mist will be released into the air and may be breathed in by others.
Adults, adolescents aged 12 years and over and children 4 to 11 years of age The usual starting dose is 2.5 mg up to 4 times a day, as described in "How to use your Nebuliser". Your doctor may increase the dose to 5mg up to 4 times a day if required. •
Children under 18 years should only use a nebuliser to take reliever medications under the care of a doctor with expertise in the management of asthma so that deterioration in asthma control can be detected and treated without delay.
•
Only use the nebuliser recommended by your doctor and supervise your child while they are using the nebuliser.
•
Seek urgent medical assistance if the nebulised medication is not working, even if there is shortterm recovery following use of prescribed nebulised medication.
Read and follow the instructions on the pharmacist's label. Do not take more doses than your doctor has prescribed or use your nebuliser more often then you are told. It is very important that you inhale each dose exactly as instructed. If you need to take more inhalations than usual, or you find the dose is becoming less effective, or your asthma is getting worse tell your doctor or asthma nurse immediately as you may need other medicines. If you need to go into hospital take your Salbutamol Nebuliser with you.
your Salbutamol Nebuliser:
1. Set up the nebuliser and get it ready for filling. 2. Open the foil wrapping by cutting along the side. Only open when you are ready to use the first ampoule. 3. Take the ampoule strip out of the wrapping and remove the end ampoule by twisting downwards and away from you. Replace the unused ampoules back into the foil over-wrap and place them back into their box. 4. To open the ampoule. Hold the body and top of the ampoule securely and then twist the body. 5. Carefully place the open end of the ampoule into the nebuliser container and empty the contents by squeezing slowly. 6. Set up and use the nebuliser as you have been shown. 7. Ensure that any remaining solution left in your nebuliser after use is discarded and your nebuliser is cleaned as recommended. 8. Nebulisers should always be used in a well ventilated room. Salbutamol Nebuliser Solution is intended to be used undiluted. If you have been told by your doctor to dilute Salbutamol Nebuliser Solution, empty the contents of the ampoule into the nebuliser container, add the amount of sterile normal saline that your doctor has told you
to and shake gently to mix before using. After use
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. If after using this medicine you immediately experience a worsening of your asthma symptoms or your wheezing gets worse then stop using this medicine and contact your doctor immediately. If you get any of the following very rare side effects after taking this medicine you should contact your doctor or hospital emergency department immediately:
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
Salbutamol Nebuliser Solution Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated carton and label after 'EXP'. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Store in the original package to protect the ampoules from light. Always return the unopened ampoules to the foil over-wrap and place back into the box after use to protect from the light. Use the ampoules within 3 months of first opening of the foil over-wrap. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
What Salbutamol Nebuliser Solution contains: The active ingredient is salbutamol sulphate. Each ampoule contains 2.5mg or 5mg of salbutamol sulphate in 2.5mls of liquid The other ingredients are sodium chloride, sulphuric acid (as a pH adjuster) and water. What Salbutamol Nebuliser Solution looks like and the contents of the pack: Salbutamol Nebuliser Solution is a liquid which when used in a nebulising device is converted into a mist to be inhaled. The solutions are available in two strengths, 1mg per ml or 2mg per ml. Each pack contains 20 ampoules, and each ampoule contains 2.5ml of solution. Salbutamol Nebuliser Solution comes in plastic polythene ampoules in strips of 5, with over wrap. Your medicine is available in boxes of 20 ampoules. Marketing Authorisation Holder: Cipla (EU) Limited, Dixcart House, Addlestone Road, Bourne Business Park, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 2LE, United Kingdom. Manufacturer: Cipla (EU) Limited, Dixcart House, Addlestone Road, Bourne Business Park, Addlestone, Surrey, KT15 2LE, United Kingdom. This leaflet was last revised on 11/2025.
Salbutamol 2mg/ml nebuliser solution comes as inhaler containing 2mg/ml. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
The active substance in Salbutamol 2mg/ml nebuliser solution is salbutamol sulfate.
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Salbutamol 2mg/ml nebuliser solution, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
Salbutamol nebuliser solutions are indicated in adults, adolescents and children aged 4 to 11 years. For babies and children under 4 years of age, see Section 4.2.
Salbutamol is a selective β2-agonist providing short-acting (4-6 hour) bronchodilation with a fast onset (within 5 minutes) in reversible airways obstruction.
Salbutamol nebuliser solutions are indicated for use in the routine management of chronic bronchospasm unresponsive to conventional therapy, and in the treatment of acute severe asthma.
Posology
Adults (including the elderly):
2.5 mg to 5 mg salbutamol up to four times a day. Up to 40 mg per day can be given under strict medical supervision in hospital.
Paediatric Population
Children aged 12 years and over: Dose as per adult population.
Children aged 4-11 years: 2.5 mg to 5 mg up to four times a day.
Other pharmaceutical forms may be more appropriate for administration in children under 4 years old.
• Private purchase of nebuliser devices for use at home to deliver rescue therapy for the acute treatment of asthma in children and adolescents is not recommended.
• Only specialists in respiratory medicine should initiate and clinically manage use of nebulisers and associated nebulised medicines at home for acute treatment of asthma in children and adolescents.
• Children should be trained in the correct use of their device to deliver rescue therapy and use should be supervised by a responsible adult.
• Urgent medical assistance should be sought if worsening asthma symptoms are not relieved by rescue medicines, even if there is short-term recovery following use of prescribed nebulised medication.
Infants under 18 months old:
Clinical efficacy of nebulised salbutamol in infants under 18 months is uncertain. As transient hypoxia may occur supplemental oxygen therapy should be considered.
Salbutamol nebulisers solutions are intended to be used undiluted. However, if prolonged delivery time (more than 10 minutes) is required, the solution may be diluted with sterile normal saline.
Method of administration
Salbutamol nebuliser solutions are for inhalation use only, to be breathed in through the mouth, under the direction of a physician, using a suitable nebuliser.
The solution should not be injected or swallowed.
Hypersensitivity to salbutamol or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
Non-IV formulations of salbutamol must not be used to arrest uncomplicated premature labour or threatened abortion.
Salbutamol nebuliser solution must only be used by inhalation, to be breathed in through the mouth, and must not be injected or swallowed.
Potentially serious hypokalaemia has been reported in patients taking β-2-agonist therapy. Particular caution is advised in patients with acute severe asthma as hypokalaemia may be potentiated in hypoxic patients and those treated with xanthine derivatives, steroids, diuretics. In these groups of patients serum potassium levels should be monitored.
Bronchodilators should not be the only or main treatment in patients with severe or unstable asthma. Severe asthma requires regular medical assessment, including lung- function testing, as patients are at risk of severe attacks and even death. Physicians should consider using the maximum recommended dose of inhaled corticosteroid and/or oral corticosteroid therapy in these patients.
Patients receiving treatment at home should seek medical advice if treatment with salbutamol nebuliser solution becomes less effective. The dosage or frequency of administration should only be increased on medical advice.
Patients being treated with salbutamol nebuliser solution may also be receiving other dosage forms of short-acting inhaled bronchodilators to relieve symptoms.
Patients who are prescribed regular anti-inflammatory therapy (e.g., inhaled corticosteroids) should be advised to continue taking their anti-inflammatory medication even when symptoms decrease, and they do not require salbutamol nebuliser solution.
Increasing use of bronchodilators, in particular short-acting inhaled β2- agonists to relieve symptoms indicates deterioration of asthma control, and patients should be warned to seek medical advice as soon as possible. The patient should be
instructed to seek medical advice if short-acting relief bronchodilator treatment becomes less effective or more inhalations than usual are required. In this situation patients should be assessed and consideration given to the need for increased anti- inflammatory therapy (e.g. higher doses of inhaled corticosteroid or a course of oral corticosteroid).
Overuse of short-acting beta-agonists may mask the progression of the underlying disease and contribute to deteriorating asthma control, leading to an increased risk of severe asthma exacerbations and mortality.
Patients who take more than twice a week “as needed” salbutamol, not counting prophylactic use prior to exercise, should be re-evaluated (i.e., daytime symptoms, nighttime awakening, and activity limitation due to asthma) for proper treatment adjustment as these patients are at risk for overuse of salbutamol.
Severe exacerbations of asthma must be treated in the normal way.
Salbutamol should be administered cautiously to patients suffering from thyrotoxicosis.
Salbutamol nebuliser solutions should be used with care in patients known to have received large doses of other sympathomimetic medicinal products.
Cardiovascular effects may be seen with sympathomimetic medicinal products, including salbutamol. There is some evidence from post-marketing data and published literature of rare occurrences of myocardial ischaemia associated with salbutamol. Patients with underlying severe heart disease (e.g. ischaemic heart disease, arrhythmia or severe heart failure) who are receiving salbutamol should be warned to seek medical advice if they experience chest pain or other symptoms of worsening heart disease. Attention should be paid to assessment of symptoms such as dyspnoea and chest pain, as they may be of either respiratory or cardiac origin.
In common with other β- adrenoceptor agonists, salbutamol can induce reversible metabolic changes such as increased blood glucose levels. Diabetic patients may be unable to compensate for the increase in blood glucose and the development of ketoacidosis has been reported. Concurrent administration of corticosteroids can exaggerate this effect.
Lactic acidosis has been reported in association with high therapeutic doses of intravenous and nebulised short-acting beta-agonist therapy, mainly in patients being treated for an acute asthma exacerbation (see Section 4.8). Increase in lactate levels may lead to dyspnoea and compensatory hyperventilation, which could be misinterpreted as a sign of asthma treatment failure and lead to inappropriate intensification of short-acting beta-agonist treatment. It is therefore recommended that patients are monitored for the development of elevated serum lactate and consequent metabolic acidosis in this setting.
A small number of cases of acute angle-closure glaucoma have been reported in patients treated with a combination of nebulised salbutamol and ipratropium bromide. A combination of nebulised salbutamol with nebulised anticholinergics should therefore be used cautiously. Patients should receive adequate instruction in correct administration and be warned not to let the solution or mist enter the eye.
As with other inhalation therapy, paradoxical bronchospasm may occur with an immediate increase in wheezing after dosing. This should be treated immediately with an alternative presentation or a different fast-acting inhaled bronchodilator.
Salbutamol nebuliser solutions should be discontinued, and if necessary a different fast-acting bronchodilator instituted for on-going use.
Salbutamol and non-selective β-blocking medicinal products such as propranolol, should not usually be prescribed together.
Pregnancy
Administration of medicinal products during pregnancy should only be considered if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than any possible risk to the fetus.
As with the majority of medicinal products, there is little published evidence of the safety of salbutamol in the early stages of human pregnancy, but in animal studies there was evidence of some harmful effects on the fetus at very high dose levels.
Breast-feeding
As salbutamol is probably secreted in breast milk, its use in nursing mothers requires careful consideration. It is not known whether salbutamol has a harmful effect on the neonate, and so its use should be restricted to situations where it is felt that the expected benefit to the mother is likely to outweigh any potential risk to the neonate.
Fertility
There is no information on the effects of salbutamol on human fertility. There were no adverse effects on fertility in animals (see section 5.3).
None reported.
Adverse events are listed below by system organ class and frequency. Frequencies are defined as: very common (≥1/10), common (≥1/100 to <1/10), uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100), rare (≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000), very rare (<1/10,000) and not known (cannot be estimated from the available data). Very common and common events were generally determined from clinical trial data. Rare, very rare and unknown events were generally determined from spontaneous data.
Immune system disorders
Very rare:
Hypersensitivity reactions including angioedema, urticaria, bronchospasm, hypotension and collapse.
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Rare:
Hypokalaemia
Potentially serious hypokalaemia may result from beta2 agonist therapy
Not known:
Lactic acidosis (see section 4.4)
Psychiatric disorders
Rare:
Sleep disturbances
Very rare:
Insomnia
Nervous system disorders
Common:
Tremor, headache.
Very rare:
Hyperactivity.
Cardiac disorders
Common:
Tachycardia.
Uncommon:
Palpitations.
Very rare:
Cardiac arrhythmias including atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia- and extrasystoles
Not known:
Myocardial ischaemia* (see section 4.4).
Vascular disorders
Rare:
Peripheral vasodilatation.
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Very rare:
Paradoxical bronchospasm.
Gastrointestinal disorders
Uncommon:
Mouth and throat irritation.
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Uncommon:
Muscle cramps.
* reported spontaneously in post-marketing data therefore frequency regarded as unknown
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/ or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
The most common signs and symptoms of overdose with salbutamol are transient beta agonist pharmacologically mediated events, including tachycardia, tremor, hyperactivity and metabolic effects including hypokalaemia and lactic acidosis (see sections 4.4 and 4.8).
Hypokalaemia may occur following overdose with salbutamol. Serum potassium levels should be monitored. Lactic acidosis has been reported in association with high therapeutic doses as well as overdoses of short-acting beta-agonist therapy, therefore monitoring for elevated serum lactate and consequent metabolic acidosis (particularly if there is persistence or worsening of tachypnea despite resolution of other signs of bronchospasm such as wheezing) may be indicated in the setting of overdose.
Medicines sold in Romania with the same active substance: Cunoscut în România ca
Same active substance. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Romanian medicines in the UK →
Medicines sold in Poland with the same active substance: W Polsce znany jako
Same active substance. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Polish medicines in the UK →
Ask anything about Salbutamol 2mg/ml nebuliser solution. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.
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