Ventolin Diskus - GlaxoSmithKline

AdministrationVENTOLIN ® DISKUS ® inhalation powder is administered by the inhaled route only.To ensure administration of the proper dose of the drug, the patient should be instructedby the physician or other health professional in the proper use of the DISKUS ® inhalationdevice.OVERDOSAGESymptoms and SignsThe most common signs and symptoms of overdose with salbutamol are transientbeta agonist pharmacologically mediated events (see Warnings and Precautions andAdverse Reactions). Overdosage may cause tachycardia, cardiac arrhythmia,hypokalemia, hypertension and, in extreme cases, sudden death. Serum potassium levelsshould be monitored.TreatmentConsideration should be given to discontinuation of treatment and appropriatesymptomatic therapy. To antagonise the effect of salbutamol, the judicious use of acardioselective beta-adrenergic blocking agent (e.g. metoprolol, atenolol) may beconsidered, bearing in mind the danger of inducing an asthmatic attack. There isinsufficient eveidence to determine if dialysis is beneficial for overdosage ofVENTOLIN ® (salbutamol sulphate) DISKUS ® inhalation powder.ACTION AND CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGYMechanism Of ActionSalbutamol produces bronchodilation through stimulation of beta 2 -adrenergic receptors inbronchial smooth muscle, thereby causing relaxation of bronchial muscle fibres. Thisaction is manifested by an improvement in pulmonary function as demonstrated byspirometric measurements. At therapeutic doses, salbutamol has little action on the beta 1 -adrenergic receptors in cardiac muscle.In pediatric, adolescent and adult patients, the median onset of effect ranged from 3.0 to3.6 minutes, and the median duration of effect ranged from 2.9 to 4.9 hours. In somepatients, duration of effect was as long as 6 hours (see PHARMACOLOGY; Human).October 03, 2007Page 11 of 23