Salbutamol (albuterol) Pediatric Dose Calculator

Q: What is the salbutamol dose for children?

Wheeze — oral (only when inhaled treatment is unavailable): 0.1–0.15 mg/kg/dose · three to four times daily · max 4 mg/dose. Usual duration: Short course. Always use the child's measured weight and check the strength on the bottle.

Q: How many mL of syrup 2 mg/5 mL for an 11.8 kg child?

For wheeze — oral (only when inhaled treatment is unavailable), an 11.8 kg child (about 2 years) needs 1.18 mg per dose — 3 mL of Syrup 2 mg/5 mL, three to four times daily. Recalculate with the child's actual weight.

Q: From what age can salbutamol be given?

Age range in PediaRx: 1 month – adult. The calculator does not calculate a dose below 1 month. Each indication can have its own age and weight limits, shown with its regimen.

Q: Is salbutamol safe in pregnancy?

Legacy FDA category C. Inhaled salbutamol is safe to use in pregnancy; uncontrolled asthma is the greater risk.

Weight-based salbutamol dosing for children — 0.1–0.15 mg/kg/dose · three to four times daily · max 4 mg/dose. Enter age and weight for the dose in mg and syrup mL, tablets or nebulised dose.

Category: BronchodilatorAges: 1 month – adultUpdated: 2026-09-27For: cliniciansEmergency use

Pediatric dosing

Acute wheeze / asthma attack — nebulised Emergency

1 month to <5 years: 2.5 mg per dose · every 20 minutes for the first hour, then every 1–4 hours as needed

Duration: Until improved

5 years to <12 years: 2.5–5 mg per dose · every 20 minutes for the first hour, then every 1–4 hours as needed

Duration: Until improved

≥12 years: 5 mg per dose · every 20 minutes for the first hour, then every 1–4 hours as needed

Duration: Until improved

Metered-dose inhaler with spacer is equally effective in mild–moderate attacks: 100 micrograms per puff, 2–10 puffs (up to 6 puffs if ≤5 years) every 20 minutes for the first hour (GINA). Give oxygen to keep SpO₂ ≥94%.

Wheeze — oral (only when inhaled treatment is unavailable)

0.1–0.15 mg/kg/dose · three to four times daily · max 4 mg/dose

Duration: Short course · Oral salbutamol is slower and less effective than inhaled, with more tremor and tachycardia.

Eligibility: ≥2 years

Salbutamol (albuterol) dose chart by age and weight

Wheeze — oral (only when inhaled treatment is unavailable). Weights are WHO/IAP reference medians for age — always dose on the measured weight.

Computed with the PediaRx dose engine from the regimen above; caps and age limits applied.
Age	Weight	Dose (mg)	Syrup 2 mg/5 mL	Frequency
1 month	4.3 kg	Below minimum age
3 months	6.1 kg	Below minimum age
6 months	7.6 kg	Below minimum age
9 months	8.6 kg	Below minimum age
1 year	9.3 kg	Below minimum age
18 months	10.6 kg	Below minimum age
2 years	11.8 kg	1.18 mg	3 mL	Three to four times daily
3 years	14.1 kg	1.41 mg	3.5 mL	Three to four times daily
4 years	16.2 kg	1.62 mg	4.1 mL	Three to four times daily
5 years	17.5 kg	1.75 mg	4.4 mL	Three to four times daily
6 years	19 kg	1.9 mg	4.8 mL	Three to four times daily
8 years	24.4 kg	2.44 mg	6.1 mL	Three to four times daily
10 years	31.1 kg	3.11 mg	7.8 mL	Three to four times daily
12 years	39.4 kg	3.94 mg	9.9 mL	Three to four times daily

Strengths in the calculator

Respules 2.5 mg/2.5 mL (Inhalation)
Nebuliser solution 5 mg/mL (dilute with saline to 2–4 mL) (Inhalation)
Syrup 2 mg/5 mL (Oral)
Tablet 2 mg (Oral)
Tablet 4 mg (Oral)

Different strength on your bottle? Use “Different strength on the bottle?” under the result.

Safety

Contraindications and cautions

Use with caution in tachyarrhythmia, hyperthyroidism and hypokalaemia.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Legacy FDA category C. Inhaled salbutamol is safe to use in pregnancy; uncontrolled asthma is the greater risk.

Compatible with breastfeeding.

Clinical notes

IV salbutamol is a specialist PICU infusion (bolus doses are micrograms/kg) and is intentionally not calculated here.

Adult and adolescent (≥40 kg) dose

5 mg — Nebulised every 20 minutes for the first hour, then as needed (MDI 4–10 puffs) (max 5 mg per dose).

Oral salbutamol (2–4 mg three to four times daily) is rarely appropriate.

Other names and brands

Also known as Albuterol.

India: Asthalin
UK: Ventolin
USA: Ventolin, ProAir

Brand examples only — products and strengths vary by country. Always check the label.

Frequently asked questions

What is the salbutamol dose for children?

Wheeze — oral (only when inhaled treatment is unavailable): 0.1–0.15 mg/kg/dose · three to four times daily · max 4 mg/dose. Usual duration: Short course. Always use the child's measured weight and check the strength on the bottle.

How many mL of syrup 2 mg/5 mL for an 11.8 kg child?

For wheeze — oral (only when inhaled treatment is unavailable), an 11.8 kg child (about 2 years) needs 1.18 mg per dose — 3 mL of Syrup 2 mg/5 mL, three to four times daily. Recalculate with the child's actual weight.

From what age can salbutamol be given?

Age range in PediaRx: 1 month – adult. The calculator does not calculate a dose below 1 month. Each indication can have its own age and weight limits, shown with its regimen.

Is salbutamol safe in pregnancy?

Legacy FDA category C. Inhaled salbutamol is safe to use in pregnancy; uncontrolled asthma is the greater risk.

Sources and editorial process

BNF for Children — Salbutamol — NICE / BMJ Group / Royal Pharmaceutical Society
Global Strategy for Asthma Management and Prevention — Global Initiative for Asthma

Dosing data last updated 2026-09-27. PediaRx is built and maintained by Dr. Shounak Pal, MBBS (Medical Officer, Government of West Bengal, India — founder and developer of PediaRx). Every regimen is encoded with explicit units, maximum doses and age/weight limits and is checked by automated tests before publication. Report an error: hello@pediarx.com.

Related calculators

Clinical disclaimer: reference tool for qualified health professionals. Verify every dose against current guidance and the product label before prescribing.

Open Salbutamol in the full calculator →