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Salbutamol tablets BP 2 mg – patient leaflet, side effects, dosage

Updated:
Key facts
Status:
Prescription only (POM)
Medicine strength:
2 mg
Contains active substance:
ATC code:
Similar medicines?:

Patient leaflet - Salbutamol tablets BP 2 mg

1. What Salbutamol tablets are and what they are used for

Salbutamol tablets belong to a group of medicines called selective beta-2-adrenergic agonists, which can be used to relax the muscles of the airways and womb. Salbutamol tablets may be used in:

  • asthma, to relieve the narrowing of the airways
  • chronic bronchitis
  • emphysema.

2. What you need to know before you take Salbutamol tablets

Do not take Salbutamol tablets and tell your doctor if you:

  • are allergic to salbutamol or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6)
  • have threatened abortion (potential miscarriage) during the first six months of pregnancy
  • are taking beta-blockers such as propranolol.

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Salbutamol tablets if you have:

  • an overactive thyroid gland (thyrotoxicosis)
  • diabetes

    • a history of heart disease, irregular heart rhythm or angina. Although it is not known exactly how often this happens, some people occasionally experience chest pain (due to heart problems such as angina) or difficulty breathing. Tell your doctor/midwife if you develop these symptoms whilst receiving treatment with salbutamol, but do not stop using this medicine unless told to do so.

Other medicines and Salbutamol tablets

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. Especially:

  • monoamine oxidase inhibitors e.g. tranylcypromine (for depression)
  • tricyclic antidepressants e.g. clomipramine (for depression)
  • beta-blockers such as propranolol
  • corticosteroids
  • diuretics
  • digoxin (for heart problems)
  • xanthines such as theophylline, aminophylline (for asthma).

    Pregnancy and breast-feeding

    If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

    Salbutamol tablets contain lactose and carmoisine (E122)

    If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars contact your doctor before taking this medicine.

    Salbutamol tablets contain carmoisine (E122) which may cause allergic reactions.

    Information on sodium content

    This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23mg) per tablet, that is to say essentially ‘sodium-free’.

    Tests

    If you have severe asthma, your doctor may monitor you more closely by carrying out certain tests.

3. How to take Salbutamol tablets

Always take Salbutamol tablets exactly as your doctor has told you. If you are not sure, check with your doctor or pharmacist.

Swallow the tablets with water.

If you notice the tablets are not working as well as before, contact your doctor for advice.

  • Adults: The recommended dose is 4mg three or four times a day. Your doctor may increase this gradually up to a maximum of 8mg three or four times a day. Some patients may be treated successfully with 2mg three or four times a day.
  • The elderly or patients known to be sensitive to this product or other similar drugs: The recommended dose is initially 2mg three or four times a day.
  • Children 2-6 years: The recommended dose is 1-2mg three or four times a day.

  • Children 6-12 years: The recommended dose is 2mg three or four times a day.
  • Children over 12 years: The recommended dose is 2-4mg three or four times a day.
  • Children under 2 years: Not recommended.

If you take more Salbutamol tablets than you should

If you (or someone else) swallow a lot of tablets at the same time, or you think a child may have swallowed any, contact your nearest hospital casualty department or tell your doctor immediately. Symptoms of an overdose include low levels of potassium in the blood which may cause muscle twitching or weakness and an irregular heart beat.

If you forget to take Salbutamol tablets

Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. If you forget to take a dose take it as soon as you remember it and then take the next dose at the right time.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Stop taking Salbutamol tablets and contact your doctor immediately if you experience:

  • an allergic reaction such as swelling of the face, lips, throat or tongue, pale or red irregular raised patches with severe itching (hives), difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, collapse
  • chest, jaw or shoulder pain (which may be accompanied with shortness of breath, feeling or being sick)
  • difficulty breathing when lying flat, wheezing, clammy skin
  • irregular heart beat
  • low blood potassium (hypokalaemia) indicated by fatigue, muscle spasms
  • increased lactic acid in the body (weakness, rapid breathing, stomach pain).

    Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following effects or if you notice any not listed:

    Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)

    • tremor, headache, dizziness; heart beating much faster than normal, palpitations; feeling sick; muscle cramps.

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)

  • increased blood sugar levels (hyperglycaemia).

    Very Rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people)

    • widening of blood vessels which can cause an increase in heart function and heart rate; feeling of restlessness and inability to stay still (akathisia), hyperactivity. Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data)
    • being sick; metabolic changes, muscle tension; sleep disturbances.

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA

Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you

can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. How to store Salbutamol tablets

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Store below 25°C in a dry place.

Do not use Salbutamol tablets after the expiry date stated on the label/carton/

bottle. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste.

Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use.

These measures will help protect the environment.

6. Contents of the pack and other information What Salbutamol tablets contain

  • The active substance (the ingredient that makes the tablets work) is salbutamol sulfate. Each tablet contains 2.4mg of the active ingredient equivalent to 2mg salbutamol.
  • The other ingredients are maize starch, lactose monohydrate, pink pigment blend (erythrosine (E127), carmoisine (E122), titanium dioxide (E171)), sodium starch glycollate, talc, magnesium stearate.

    What Salbutamol tablets look like and contents of the pack

    Salbutamol tablets are pink, circular, flat bevelled edge, uncoated tablets with ‘C’ on one side and the identifying letters ‘SA’ on the reverse. Nominal diameter 6.5mm.

    Pack size is 28.

    Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer

    Accord, Barnstaple, EX32 8NS, UK.

    This leaflet was last revised in December 2025

Salbutamol 2mg tablets

Salbutamol sulfate

Each tablet contains 2.4mg salbutamol sulfate equivalent to 2mg salbutamol. For oral administration.

Also contains lactose, E122-see leaflet for details. Use as directed by physician. Keep out of the sight and reach of children. Read the package leaflet before use. Store below 25°C in a dry place.

PL 0142/0485

Salbutamol

tablets 2mg

Accord, Barnstaple, EX32 8NS, UK

28 tablets

For oral use

Accord, Barnstaple, EX32 8NS, UK

5 012617 008923

tablets

Salbutamol 2mg

28 tablets

For oral use

Each tablet contains 2.4 mg salbutamol sulfate equivalent to 2 mg salbutamol.

For oral administration. Also contains lactose,

E122-see leaflet for details. Use as directed by physician.

Keep out of the sight and reach of children.

Read the package leaflet before use.

Store below 25°C in a dry place.

PL 0142/0485

Accord, Barnstaple, EX32 8NS, UK

51037823 BBBC4092

51037823 BBBC4092

Item number:

1.

1.

BBBC4092

Accord Barnstaple Salbutamol 2 mg 28 Tablets Label Leaflet - UK

Black Profile

UK Only

10mm

Bleed off by 2mm at bottom of page 30x120mm 18pp label leaflet Profile (BST)

Bleed

Text Area

Print Free area

Base Label - 120mm

V4 07.10.2025

PC: (0)GTIN

EXP: MM/YYYY

Lot: Batch Number

Representation of data matrix

code and human readable

data printed black online

Batch prompts as word doc or ref file,

send for Technical Approval (no TA for BST).

Check market specific guides

Multipack Nordic GTIN must be different to carton

2D code*

v15

Overall Laminate Area - 101mm

Dimensions: 30X120 (18 pg)

Component: Label Leaflet

Date Sent: 26-11-25

Technologist: RH

Technically Approved

Salbutamol, tablets, 2mg,

28 - UK

Material no: 51037823

Braille reads:-salbutamol

tablets 2 mg 2 g

m

Nums

a t

l

a

b s

t

l

a b

e

m o

s t

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About this document

Source: MHRA - Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (products.mhra.gov.uk) · Marketing authorisation: PL 00142/0485

Last revision stated in the text: December 2025 · MHRA data as of 13 October 2026

What the sections and the side effect frequencies mean: How to read a patient leaflet

Found a mistake? Tell us on the contact page.

The information on this site does not replace the advice of a doctor or pharmacist.

Facts about Salbutamol tablets BP 2 mg

What these facts mean

Prescription needed?? Yes, prescription-only medicine (POM)
Active substance? Salbutamol
Strength? 2 mg
Pharmaceutical form? Oral tablet
How is it taken? Oral
Excipients? The tablets also contain: maize starch, lactose monohydrate, pink pigment blend (erythrosine (E127), carmoisine (E122), titanium dioxide (E171)), sodium starch glycollate, talc, magnesium stearate.
Pack sizes 28 tablet
Is it available?? Listed as available (NHS Dictionary of Medicines and Devices – not a record of current supplies)
Shelf life? 2 years.
Storage Store below 25°C in a dry place.
Drug group (ATC)?
  1. R Respiratory system drugs
    1. R03 Drugs for obstructive airway diseases
      1. R03C Adrenergics for systemic use
        1. R03CC Selective beta-2-adrenoreceptor agonists, systemic
          1. R03CC02 salbutamol
Marketing authorisation? PL 00142/0485 (first authorised 18 December 1998)
Marketing authorisation holder? Accord-UK Ltd
Codes? GTIN 5012617008923 · BNF 03010101

Sources: the MHRA product information (products.mhra.gov.uk) and the NHS Dictionary of Medicines and Devices (dm+d), release 11.1.0 of 9 November 2026, NHS Business Services Authority. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.