Respiratory Drugs 💨
Reference guide for respiratory medications including salbutamol (Ventolin), ipratropium, nebulisers, saline Steri-Neb diluent, and mucolytics such as carbocisteine (Exputex). Drug table, dosing, 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) |
| Sodium chloride 0.9% (Saline Steri-Neb) | 2.5 ml unit; add the prescribed volume as diluent | Nebulised | As required with nebulised medicines (not for use alone) |
| 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) |
| Carbocisteine (Exputex) | 15 ml PO TDS | Oral solution | Three times daily |
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)
Sodium chloride 0.9% (Saline Steri-Neb)
NebulisedDose:2.5 ml unit; add the prescribed volume as diluent
Frequency:As required with nebulised medicines (not for use alone)
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)
Carbocisteine (Exputex)
Oral solutionDose:15 ml PO TDS
Frequency:Three times daily
SmPCs (medicines.ie / HPRA)
Salbutamol (Ventolin Evohaler)Ipratropium (Atrovent 500 UDVs)Salbutamol + Ipratropium (Combivent UDVs, HPRA)Sodium chloride 0.9% (Saline Steri-Neb, HPRA)Tiotropium (Spiriva)Budesonide (Pulmicort Turbohaler 200)Fluticasone / Salmeterol (Seretide Diskus)Prednisolone (Prednisolone 5 mg Soluble Tablets)Dexamethasone (oral solution 2 mg/5 ml, HPRA)Theophylline (Uniphyllin 400 mg, HPRA)Carbocisteine (Exputex 250 mg/5 ml, HPRA)
Educational reference only. Medical disclaimer