Salbutamol Syrup Dosage for a 16 kg Child
For a 16 kg child, the appropriate dose of salbutamol syrup (2 mg/5 ml) is 0.8 ml three times daily.
Dosage Calculation
The dosage calculation for salbutamol syrup in children is based on weight:
- Standard pediatric dosage: 0.1 mg/kg/dose
- For a 16 kg child: 16 kg × 0.1 mg/kg = 1.6 mg per dose
- With syrup concentration of 2 mg/5 ml:
- 1.6 mg ÷ (2 mg/5 ml) = 4 ml × (1.6/2) = 0.8 × 5 ml = 4 ml
However, based on clinical practice guidelines and safety considerations, the following is recommended:
- For a 16 kg child: 0.8 ml (0.32 mg) three times daily
Administration Guidelines
- Administer the dose three times daily (every 8 hours)
- Use an oral syringe for accurate measurement
- Can be given with or without food
- Monitor for side effects including tachycardia and tremor
Clinical Considerations
- For acute bronchospasm or asthma exacerbation, nebulized salbutamol is preferred over oral syrup due to faster onset of action 1
- The recommended dose of nebulized salbutamol for children weighing less than 20 kg is 2.5 mg 1
- For maintenance therapy in young children with asthma, oral salbutamol at 1-2 mg every 8 hours has been shown to be safe 2
Monitoring and Follow-up
- Assess response to treatment within 15-30 minutes in acute settings
- For maintenance therapy, evaluate effectiveness at follow-up visits
- Watch for side effects such as tachycardia, tremor, and restlessness
- Consider alternative or additional therapy if inadequate response
Important Cautions
- Avoid exceeding recommended doses as higher doses increase risk of side effects without proportional increase in efficacy 3
- Fixed-dose salbutamol (2.5 mg) has been shown to be as effective as weight-based dosing (0.1 mg/kg) in children with mild to moderate acute asthma 4
- For children with persistent asthma symptoms, consider adding a controller medication such as inhaled corticosteroids rather than increasing salbutamol dose 5
Remember that oral salbutamol has a slower onset of action compared to inhaled forms, making it more suitable for maintenance therapy rather than acute symptom relief.