Indication: A selective beta 2-adrenceptor agonist used in reversible airway obstruction, status asthmaticus, severe acute asthma and premature labour.

Cautions: hyperthyroidism, ischaemic heart disease, hypertension, pregnancy, elderly patients (reduce dose); intravenous administration to diabetics (blood sugar estimates required).

Side Effects: fine tremor (usually hands), nervous tension, headache, peripheral vasodilatation, tachycardia (seldom troublesome when by aerosol inhalation); hypokalaemia after high doses, slight pain on intramuscular injection.

Dose: by mouth, 4mg (elderly and sensitive patients initially 2mg) 3-4 times daily, max. 8mg (but unlikely to be tolerated); Child under 2 years, 100 mcg/kg 4 times daily (not licensed). Child 2-6 years, 1-2mg 3 -4 times daily. 6-12 years, 2mg 3-4 times daily. By SC or IM injection, 500 mcg repeated every 4 hours if necessary. By slow IV injection, 250 mcg repeated if necessary. By continuous IV infusion, initially 5 mcg/minute, adjusted according to response and heart-rate usually in the range of 3-20 mcg/minute or more if necessary. By aerosol inhalation, acute and intermittent episodes of wheezing and asthma, 100-200 mcg repeated after 4 hours if necessary; Child, 100 mcg. Prophylaxis in exercise-induced bronchospasm, 200 mcg. Child, 100 mcg. Chronic maintenance therapy, 200 mcg 3-4 times daily, or in severe bronchospasm every 4 hours. Child, 100 mcg 3-4 times daily increased to 200 mcg if necessary. By inhalation of nebulized solution, chronic bronchospasm unresponsive to conventional therapy and severe acute asthma, 2.5mg (2.5ml of a solution containing 1mg/ml), repeated up to times daily; increased to 5mg if necessary. In refractory patients with severe acute asthma 10mg can be used if side effects permit. Child 2.5mg, increased to 5mg if required.