Salbutamol Dose Calculation
The patient is receiving 0.8 mg of salbutamol per dose (2 ml × 2 mg/5 ml = 0.8 mg), which equals 2.4 mg per day (0.8 mg × 3 doses), or approximately 0.06 mg/kg per dose and 0.18 mg/kg per day based on a weight of 13.5 kg.
Detailed Dose Breakdown
Per-Dose Calculation
- Concentration: 2 mg/5 ml = 0.4 mg/ml 1
- Volume administered: 2 ml per dose 1
- Dose per administration: 2 ml × 0.4 mg/ml = 0.8 mg 1
- Weight-based dose: 0.8 mg ÷ 13.5 kg = 0.059 mg/kg per dose (approximately 0.06 mg/kg) 1
Daily Total Calculation
- Frequency: 3 times per day 1
- Total daily dose: 0.8 mg × 3 = 2.4 mg per day 1
- Weight-based daily dose: 2.4 mg ÷ 13.5 kg = 0.178 mg/kg per day (approximately 0.18 mg/kg) 1
Clinical Context
Comparison to Standard Pediatric Dosing
- For nebulized salbutamol in children, the minimum recommended dose is 2.5 mg (0.5 ml of 0.5% solution) every 20 minutes for acute treatment, with doses ranging from 0.15-0.30 mg/kg up to 10 mg every 1-4 hours as needed 1
- The current dose of 0.8 mg per administration is below the typical minimum nebulized dose of 2.5 mg used for acute bronchodilation 1
- For a 13.5 kg child, the weight-based dose range would be approximately 2.0-4.0 mg per dose (0.15-0.30 mg/kg) for nebulized therapy 1
Oral Syrup Considerations
- The formulation being used (2 mg/5 ml syrup) suggests oral administration rather than nebulization 2
- Oral salbutamol has different pharmacokinetic parameters compared to inhaled formulations, with variable absorption and systemic bioavailability 2
- The dose of 0.06 mg/kg per dose (0.18 mg/kg per day) is within a reasonable range for oral salbutamol maintenance therapy in children, though specific pediatric oral dosing guidelines are not extensively detailed in the provided evidence 1, 2