Clinical medicine profile
Salbutamol /Bromhexine / Menthol
Beta-2 adrenergic agonist (bronchodilator)
- Route
- INHALATION / ORAL / NEB / IV (rare)
- Schedule
- POM
- ATC
- Not assigned
- PPB status
- registered
Safety essentials
The information most likely to change a prescribing or dispensing decision.
Contraindications
- [Salbutamol] Hypersensitivity.
- LABA monotherapy in asthma is contraindicated — always with ICS. [Bromhexine] Hypersensitivity to the active substance or excipients.
- Additional absolute contraindications are indication- and product-specific — consult SmPC. [Menthol] Hypersensitivity to the active substance or excipients.
- Additional absolute contraindications are indication- and product-specific — consult SmPC.
Precautions
- Paradoxical bronchospasm.
- Hypokalaemia with high dose/nebs especially with steroids/diuretics/xanthines.
- CV disease: tachycardia/arrhythmia risk.
- Thyrotoxicosis caution.
Dosing matrix
Population and organ-function guidance, shown together for faster comparison.
Dosing is indication-, age-, weight- and organ-function-specific for this INN. Do not use class averages for high-risk patients. Confirm the exact regimen in the current SmPC and Kenya Standard Treatment Guidelines. Typical professional workflow: (1) confirm indication, (2) check renal/hepatic function, (3) screen interactions/allergies, (4) select dose/route/duration, (5) define monitoring.
Paediatric dosing is weight- and age-based; use a paediatric formulary / SmPC. Do not extrapolate adult tablets without calculation.
Low for inhaled; monitor electrolytes if continuous nebs.
- CrCl 0–120: Confirm renal dosing in product SmPC / primary label.
Low clinical concern for inhaled therapy.
Use, effects & interactions
Indications
- Therapeutic use is agent- and indication-specific within the class (Beta-2 adrenergic agonist (bronchodilator)).
- Use according to culture results, national guidelines (Kenya STG/EML where applicable) and the current product SmPC.
- Cough expectoration /bronchodilator
Adverse effects
- [Salbutamol] Tachycardia, skeletal muscle cramp, palpitation, headaches, severe emotional disturbances, resistance after prolonged use, acidosis, GI disturbances, hypokaleamia, sweat [Bromhexine] Adverse reactions vary by agent.
- Counsel on common predictable effects and serious warning symptoms (allergy, severe rash, jaundice, unusual bleeding, severe GI symptoms, neurological changes).
- Report suspected ADRs via national pharmacovigilance channels. [Menthol] Adverse reactions vary by agent.
- Counsel on common predictable effects and serious warning symptoms (allergy, severe rash, jaundice, unusual bleeding, severe GI symptoms, neurological changes).
- Report suspected ADRs via national pharmacovigilance channels.
Drug interactions
Open multi-drug checker ↗- [Salbutamol] Assess inhaler technique every visit.
- Increasing SABA use = uncontrolled disease — step up controller therapy.
- Never prescribe LABA alone for asthma. [Bromhexine] Professional use: confirm indication, dose, duration, monitoring and patient counselling points against current Kenya STG / EML and the product SmPC.
- Document allergy status and key interactions. [Menthol] Professional use: confirm indication, dose, duration, monitoring and patient counselling points against current Kenya STG / EML and the product SmPC.
- Document allergy status and key interactions.
Mechanism & disposition
Combination product.
Read complete mechanism
Combination product. Component mechanism (Salbutamol): Stimulates airway beta-2 receptors → smooth muscle relaxation and bronchodilation. Stimulate airway smooth muscle beta-2 receptors, increasing cAMP and causing bronchodilation. Also improve mucociliary clearance and may stabilise mast cells. SABA for rescue; LABA for maintenance with ICS.
Minutes (SABA)
3–6 h SABA; 12 h LABA
INHALATION / ORAL / NEB / IV (rare)
causes tremor/tachycardia. Hepatic
of many agents. [Bromhexine]
are product-specific. Consider food effects, protein binding, hepatic CYP/UGT
when adjusting for organ impairment, age and drug interactions. Verify parameters in the current SmPC. [Menthol]
Pregnancy, lactation & diet
[Salbutamol] Inhaled salbutamol widely used; uncontrolled asthma risk > drug risk. [Bromhexine] Use only if potential benefit justifies potential risk; prefer agents with better reproductive data when alternatives exist. [Menthol] Use only if potential benefit justifies potential risk; prefer agents with better reproductive data when alternatives exist.
[Bromhexine] Assess infant risk vs benefit of maternal therapy; prefer agents with lactation data. [Menthol] Assess infant risk vs benefit of maternal therapy; prefer agents with lactation data.
Brands & loaded prices
| Brand | Manufacturer | Pack | Observed price |
|---|---|---|---|
| No reviewed brand listings are linked yet. | |||
Sources & review state
Decision support only. Confirm patient-specific decisions against the current product SmPC, Kenya STG/EML, and professional judgement.