Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Methodology for Sputum Induction and Laboratory Processing
13:28

Methodology for Sputum Induction and Laboratory Processing

Published on: December 17, 2017

Age dependent systemic exposure to inhaled salbutamol

Klaus Bønnelykke1, Jakob Jessing Jespersen, Hans Bisgaard

  • 1Danish Pediatric Asthma Center; Copenhagen University Hospital, Gentofte, Copenhagen, Denmark. kb@copsac.dk

British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
|March 6, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Dosing of inhaled salbutamol (albuterol) in children requires age-specific adjustments for optimal systemic exposure. A fixed microgram per kilogram dose may lead to suboptimal or excessive exposure in younger children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pharmacology
  • Respiratory Medicine
  • Pharmacokinetics

Background:

  • Inhaled salbutamol is a common bronchodilator for pediatric asthma.
  • Systemic exposure to inhaled medications can vary significantly with age.
  • Optimal dosing strategies are crucial for effective and safe treatment in children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of age on the systemic exposure of inhaled salbutamol in pediatric patients.
  • To compare different dosing strategies (age-adjusted vs. fixed dose) regarding systemic exposure.

Main Methods:

  • Fifty-eight children with asthma (aged 3-16 years) received 400 microg of salbutamol via a metered-dose inhaler with a spacer.
  • Serum concentrations were analyzed over a 20-minute period to determine pharmacokinetic profiles.
  • Data were analyzed to compare systemic exposure based on age-adjusted and fixed nominal doses.

Main Results:

  • Dosing based on a microgram per kilogram (microg kg(-1)) basis resulted in lower systemic exposure in younger children compared to older children (Cmax ratio 0.55).
  • A fixed nominal dose, irrespective of weight or age, led to higher systemic exposure in younger children (Cmax ratio 1.7).

Conclusions:

  • Age or size-based adjustments are necessary for achieving consistent systemic exposure to inhaled salbutamol in children.
  • A fixed microg kg(-1) dosing approach may result in suboptimal or excessive systemic exposure, particularly in younger children.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Dry Powder and Nebulized Aerosol Inhalation of Pharmaceuticals Delivered to Mice Using a Nose-only Exposure System07:28

Dry Powder and Nebulized Aerosol Inhalation of Pharmaceuticals Delivered to Mice Using a Nose-only Exposure System

Published on: April 6, 2017

An Air-liquid Interface Bronchial Epithelial Model for Realistic, Repeated Inhalation Exposure to Airborne Particles for Toxicity Testing09:29

An Air-liquid Interface Bronchial Epithelial Model for Realistic, Repeated Inhalation Exposure to Airborne Particles for Toxicity Testing

Published on: May 13, 2020

Related Concept Videos

Antiasthma Drugs: β2-Adrenoceptor Agonists01:25

Antiasthma Drugs: β2-Adrenoceptor Agonists

Bronchodilators are critical in managing asthma, a chronic respiratory condition characterized by airway constriction due to inflammation and hyper-reactivity. Specifically, bronchodilators ease this constriction by relaxing the bronchial muscles, facilitating easier breathing.
One class of bronchodilators includes β2-adrenoceptor agonists. These agents target the β2-adrenoceptors located on bronchial smooth muscle cells. By stimulating these receptors, β2-agonists induce relaxation in these...
Inhaled Medications01:23

Inhaled Medications

Inhaled medications are crucial for managing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. They are essential for effective treatment and control, ensuring optimal respiratory health and well-being. Inhaled medication delivers drugs directly to the lungs, providing a rapid onset of action and reducing systemic side effects compared to oral or injectable medications. Three primary types of inhalation devices are used to administer these medications: nebulizers, metered-dose inhalers...
Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Absorption01:22

Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Absorption

As individuals age, their body's physiology evolves, affecting drug pharmacokinetics. The most apparent changes occur in the gastrointestinal tract, where an increase in gastric pH, a delay in gastric emptying, and a reduction in gastrointestinal motility are observed. Remarkably, these changes do not substantially modify the absorption of orally administered drugs, particularly those absorbed via passive diffusion.Transdermal drug delivery emerges as a highly viable method for older adults due...
Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics01:23

Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics

Respiratory symptoms, such as congestion and cough, commonly accompany respiratory tract conditions. Various medications, such as antitussives, expectorants, and mucolytics, play crucial roles in providing relief.
Antitussives include codeine, dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and benzonatate (Tessalon). Codeine and dextromethorphan exert their effects centrally by suppressing the cough reflex center in the medulla.  Benzonatate operates peripherally within the respiratory tract by anesthetizing...
Breathing01:05

Breathing

The process of breathing, inhaling and exhaling, involves the coordinated movement of the chest wall, the lungs, and the muscles that move them. Two muscle groups with important roles in breathing are the diaphragm, located directly below the lungs, and the intercostal muscles, which lie between the ribs. When the diaphragm contracts, it moves downward, increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity and creating more room for the lungs to expand. When the intercostal muscles contract, the ribs...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism01:24

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism

In pediatric care, understanding the nuances of hepatic drug metabolism is crucial, as it significantly differs from that of adults. This divergence is primarily due to the developmental stage of drug-metabolizing enzymes, which affects how medications are processed in the body. In neonates, for instance, the activity of Phase I enzymes—critical for the initial breakdown of drugs—is markedly reduced, functioning at just 20–40% of the levels seen in adults. This reduction poses a challenge in...