Albuterol Sulfate Elixir Dispenser

Albuterol-multi-dose

Pediatric Dosing Information

The current Prescribing Information (PI), for the administration of albuterol sulfate syrup 2mg/5mL for children 2 to 5 years of age, recites; a recommended dose of 0.1 mg/kg of body weight three times a day. For children who do not respond satisfactory to the initial starting dosage, the dosage may be increased stepwise to 0.2 mg/kg 3 times per day, but not to exceed a maximum of 4 mg (2 teaspoons) given three times a day.1

The PI and product label describe the syrup comprising 2 mg of albuterol sulfate in each 5 mL (teaspoonful).

Conversely, the PI does not describe the extrapolation of 0.1 mg or 0.2 mg from the 5 mL albuterol sulfate syrup or teaspoon, (1/10 and 1/20 of the teaspoon), nor the subsequent further calculation of it into milligram dose for kilogram body weight as prescribed.

Moreover, dozens of studies conclude that a household teaspoon is not an adequate measuring device.2 According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), among other health agencies, non-standard kitchen spoons are not recommended as a dosing apparatus for medicinal solutions. 2,3,4,5

The multi-dose Safe-2-Dose® Syringe is specifically calibrated to administer a patient specific dose of albuterol sulfate syrup to the optimal dose of 0.1 mg/kg or 0.2 mg/kg to an individualized body weight as recommended through one calibrated dispenser. The Dose-2-Weight Syringe allows for a singular preparation of either 0.1 mg/kg or 0.2 mg/kg to an individualized body weight as recommended.

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=8bac1efe-c419-a615-fab5-0770b0ce90d9
2 Yin HS, Parker RM, Sanders LM, et al. Liquid Medication Errors and Dosing Tools: A Randomized Controlled Experiment. Pediatrics. 2016;138(4):e20160357. doi:10.1542/peds.2016-0357
Shah R, Blustein L, Kuffner E, Davis L. Communicating doses of pediatric liquid medicines to parents/caregivers: a comparison of written dosing directions on prescriptions with labels applied by dispensed pharmacy. J Pediatr. 2014;164(3):596–601, e591 [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
McMahon SR, Rimsza ME, Bay RC. Parents can dose liquid medication accurately. Pediatrics. 1997;100(3 pt 1):330–333 [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
5 Yaffe SJ, Bierman CW, Cann HM, et al. . Inaccuracies in administering liquid medication. Pediatrics. 1975;56(2):327–328 [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
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All labeling and dosing representation on this website is for informational and promotional purposes only.  It should not be used for prescribing or administering these products. Please contact your physician or a health care professional for all preparation and administration directions.