Salbutamol Nebules (albuterol) offer an effective treatment for breathing difficulties caused by asthma, COPD, or similar breathing ailments. At the proper dosage, Salbutamol Nebules can be used in patients as young as 4 years old.

Nebulizer treatments like those offered by Salbutamol Nebules are the gold standard in hospital settings when patients present with severely impaired breathing. Using the medication at home provides the same benefit; Salbutamol Nebules are potent and really work, often better than albuterol inhalers.

Patients disinclined to use HFA or powder inhalers will likely have excellent results with Salbutamol Nebules.

The Drawbacks

The biggest obstacle to using Salbutamol Nebules is that a nebulizer must be purchased separately. There are a great many nebulizers available, ranging from small, handheld versions that cost around 50 USD to large machines that cost hundreds of dollars. Patients in some areas will need a prescription to buy a nebulizer.

All nebulizers require a power source, be it batteries or plugging it into the electric grid. They're also not very discreet; while some handheld units can fit in a pocket or purse, most do not, and even small handheld units are larger than an inhaler and take longer to use.

Given the volume and variety of nebulizers on the market, patients unsure of which to buy should discuss the matter with a doctor or pharmacist.

The Ideal Dosage

Albuterol nebules in general come in a range of strengths, from 1.25, 1.5, 2.5, 4, or 5 mg. For best, and safest, results a doctor should be consulted about dosage strength. In general:

• Choose 1.25 or 1.5 mg strengths for patients under age 12.
• Ages 12 and up should start with 2.5 mg strength.
• If 2.5 mg doesn't provide sufficient relief, 4 mg may be tried, and then 5 mg.
• The vast majority of patients find 2.5 mg sufficient.
• Do not exceed one nebule in 4 hours.

Salbutamol Nebules are sometimes prescribed for pets who have difficulty breathing. The above dosage strengths are too high for most animals and pet owners will need to seek a lower dose from a veterinary pharmacy. It is typically very inexpensive.

Taking Salbutamol Nebules

Salbutamol Nebules come in groups of 20; each package contains 20, 40, 60, or more nebules. Nebules themselves are small plastic vials, usually in groups of 5 covered in foil packaging to protect the nebules from light. Nebules still within the foil wrapper are good for 1 year; once the foil has been opened, they're good for 3 months.

Salbutamol Nebules can be used to both prevent or stop an ongoing attack. As a preventive measure, a nebule should be consumed 30 minutes to one hour prior to exposure to triggers.

To use a nebule:

• Break a single nebule off from the other nebules it was packaged with.
• Twist the top of the nebule off to open it.
• Gently squeeze the fluid into the nebulizer cup.
• Position the nebulizer face mask over the mouth.
• Inhale normally---depending on severity, it may take just a few inhalations or the whole nebule.
• Keep the face mask in place and continue breathing normally until treatment is complete.
• Do not exceed 1 nebule in 4 hours.

Breathing should be considerably improved within 5 to 10 minutes of administration, often sooner. If symptoms do not improve, or worsen, emergency medical attention should be sought.

Patients who don't use the entire contents of a nebule will have excess fluid remaining in the nebulizer. How to deal with this really depends on the nebulizer; it can be left in some, ready for the next use---provided it is used in the next day or two---while others will need to be emptied, to prevent the nebulizer from becoming clogged.

Fluid---both new and leftover---should be clear and particulate-free. If it's not, it should be discarded.

Potential Complications

Many patients find Salbutamol Nebules make them jittery, with relatively mild symptoms of:

• Feeling anxious
• Flushing or hot flashes
• Muscle cramps
• Tremor or shaking
• Dry mouth
• Weakness or dizziness
• Difficulty falling or staying asleep

The above are not cause for concern unless severe enough to be disruptive.

One thing patients should not do is use more than an entire nebule in 4 hours; doing so can lead to overdose, which may not be apparent until the medication is already taken. Overdose signs include:

• Rapid heartbeat
• Significant muscle tremor
• Significant increase in rate of breathing

Certain other medications may interfere with Salbutamol Nebules' effectiveness; check with a doctor of pharmacist if unsure. Simultaneous use of any strong stimulants, such as other types of rescue inhalers, large doses of caffeine, or street drugs such as cocaine can considerably increase risk of serious side effects or overdose.