Oral Salbutamol (Albuterol) Dosing for a 31 kg Child
For a 31 kg child, the appropriate oral dose of salbutamol (albuterol) is 4.65 mg (11.6 ml of 2 mg/5 ml solution) four times daily.
Dosing Calculation
- The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a weight-based dosing approach for oral salbutamol in children 1
- The standard pediatric oral dose is 0.15 mg/kg per dose 1
- For a 31 kg child: 0.15 mg/kg × 31 kg = 4.65 mg per dose 1
- Using the 2 mg/5 ml concentration: 4.65 mg × (5 ml/2 mg) = 11.6 ml per dose 1
Administration Schedule
- Administer four times daily for maintenance therapy 2
- Peak effect of syrup formulation occurs at approximately 4 hours and lasts for 6 hours 2
- The syrup formulation provides better bioavailability compared to tablet form 2
Clinical Considerations
- Oral salbutamol should be used for maintenance therapy rather than acute exacerbations 3
- For acute exacerbations, inhaled salbutamol via nebulizer or metered-dose inhaler is preferred due to faster onset of action and fewer systemic side effects 3
- The oral bioavailability of salbutamol is approximately 10-20%, which explains the higher dosing requirement compared to inhaled formulations 4
Monitoring and Side Effects
Monitor for common side effects including:
Side effects are more common with oral administration compared to inhaled routes due to higher systemic absorption 4
Important Considerations
- If the child is experiencing an acute exacerbation, consider switching to nebulized therapy at 0.15 mg/kg (minimum 2.5 mg) every 20 minutes for up to 3 doses 1
- For children with persistent asthma requiring regular bronchodilator therapy, controller medications should be considered rather than relying solely on oral salbutamol 3
- Regular use of salbutamol exceeding twice weekly for symptom control indicates poor asthma control and need for controller medication adjustment 5