Respiratory Drugs 💨
Reference guide for respiratory medications including salbutamol (Ventolin), ipratropium, and nebulisers. Drug table, dosing, inhaler techniques, and prescribing for asthma and COPD management.
Respiratory Medications
Reference table for respiratory medicine management
| Medicine | Dose | Route | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salbutamol (Ventolin) | 2.5–5 mg nebulised or 100–200 mcg (1–2 puffs) MDI | Nebulised / Inhaler (MDI with spacer) | PRN (as needed) or 4-hourly in acute asthma/COPD |
| Ipratropium Bromide (Atrovent) | 500 mcg nebulised or 20 mcg (2 puffs) MDI | Nebulised / Inhaler | 4–6 hourly (acute exacerbations) |
| Salbutamol + Ipratropium (Combivent) | 2.5 mg / 500 mcg nebulised | Nebulised | 4–6 hourly (acute exacerbations) |
| Tiotropium (Spiriva) | 18 mcg once daily (DPI) or 2.5 mcg once daily (Respimat) | Inhaler (DPI/Respimat) | Once daily |
| Budesonide (Pulmicort) | 200–400 mcg twice daily | Inhaled | Twice daily |
| Fluticasone / Salmeterol (Seretide) | 100/50 mcg or 250/50 mcg twice daily | Inhaler (DPI/MDI) | Twice daily |
| Prednisolone (Deltacortril) | 30–40 mg once daily | Oral | Once daily (usually morning, short courses in exacerbations) |
| Dexamethasone (Dexsol) | 6 mg once daily | Oral / IV | Once daily (e.g. COVID-19) |
| Theophylline (Uniphyllin) | 200–400 mg daily (oral), titrated to blood levels | IV / Oral | BD (oral) or infusion (IV, less common) |
| Oxygen | As per target SpO₂ | Nasal cannulae / Face mask / Venturi mask | Continuous or titrated to SpO₂ (target typically 88–92% in COPD) |
Salbutamol (Ventolin)
Nebulised / Inhaler (MDI with spacer)Dose:2.5–5 mg nebulised or 100–200 mcg (1–2 puffs) MDI
Frequency:PRN (as needed) or 4-hourly in acute asthma/COPD
Ipratropium Bromide (Atrovent)
Nebulised / InhalerDose:500 mcg nebulised or 20 mcg (2 puffs) MDI
Frequency:4–6 hourly (acute exacerbations)
Salbutamol + Ipratropium (Combivent)
NebulisedDose:2.5 mg / 500 mcg nebulised
Frequency:4–6 hourly (acute exacerbations)
Tiotropium (Spiriva)
Inhaler (DPI/Respimat)Dose:18 mcg once daily (DPI) or 2.5 mcg once daily (Respimat)
Frequency:Once daily
Budesonide (Pulmicort)
InhaledDose:200–400 mcg twice daily
Frequency:Twice daily
Fluticasone / Salmeterol (Seretide)
Inhaler (DPI/MDI)Dose:100/50 mcg or 250/50 mcg twice daily
Frequency:Twice daily
Prednisolone (Deltacortril)
OralDose:30–40 mg once daily
Frequency:Once daily (usually morning, short courses in exacerbations)
Dexamethasone (Dexsol)
Oral / IVDose:6 mg once daily
Frequency:Once daily (e.g. COVID-19)
Theophylline (Uniphyllin)
IV / OralDose:200–400 mg daily (oral), titrated to blood levels
Frequency:BD (oral) or infusion (IV, less common)
Oxygen
Nasal cannulae / Face mask / Venturi maskDose:As per target SpOâ‚‚
Frequency:Continuous or titrated to SpO₂ (target typically 88–92% in COPD)