Salbutamol

A rapid and sensitive stability indicating RP-HPLC method was developed for simultaneous estimation of salbutamol, carbocisteine and theophylline in combined tablet formulations. Chromatography was carried out on a Discovery HS C18 HPLC Column at 35 °C (250 x 4.6 mm; 5m) by eluting with a mobile phase consisting of a 50:50 v/v mixture of acetonitrile and 0.1 % orthophosphoric acid in water at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/ min. The detection wavelength was set at 215 nm. Accuracy was assessed by using standard addition method. The developed HPLC method was validated with respect to precision, specificity, accuracy, linearity and robustness. Forced degradation studies on the formulation were conducted by adopting the proposed method to assess the stability of the analytes under acid, base, peroxide, thermal and photolytic conditions and suitability of the method to resolve the degradation products.

The use of bronchodilators has been increasing for the past few decades. Study was planned to evaluate the rational use of bronchodilator drugs by analyzing the appropriateness of the prescription. A prospective observational study was conducted in all the patients who were prescribed with bronchodilators in the pediatric ward. The demographic data and the bronchodilator prescribed were recorded in the data entry format. In the study population of 133 wheezing associated with lower respiratory tract infection was the most predominant disorder found in 35.3% children.  Of the 133 pediatric patients, the major prescription was for SABA (Short Acting Bronchodilators) (99.2%). Of which the major prescription was for salbutamol (63.2%). Most of the children with asthma were prescribed with combination therapy of salbutamol and ipratropium (81.3%). In WALRI (Wheezing Associated Lower Respiratory Tract Infection), patient were prescribed with salbutamol (40.4%) and. In acute bronchiolitis, the major prescription was found to be salbutamol and ipratropium combination (70.3%). In 52.6% of the prescriptions bronchodilator were given by nebulization and oral route, 31.6% were given by nebulization. In 95.5% of patient antibiotics were prescribed along with bronchodilators, followed by mucolytic 55.6% .Other concurrent prescriptions were with steroids (38.3%). It was found that 77.4% of pediatric patients not received any oxygen supplementation. The study found over use of antibiotics, sedatives and mucolytics and under use of steroids. Bronchodilator use was optimal but evaluation of therapy was not done commonly. The study highlighted the need for a local protocol and continuing staff and parent education.