Salbutamol 4 mg: uses, price & cheaper substitutes
Prescription required (Schedule H)
Common uses: Relief of wheezing, breathlessness and chest tightness in asthma when an inhaler cannot be used; Breathlessness in COPD (chronic bronchitis and emphysema).
Listed MRPs range from ₹0.15 to ₹0.35 per tablet across 5 listings. Use only on a doctor's prescription.
Price comparison
| Brand | Manufacturer | Pack | MRP | ₹ / tablet | As on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salbutamol Tablets IP 4 mgJan Aushadhi | Jan Aushadhi (PMBJP) | 10 | ₹1.88 | ₹0.19 | 19 October 2026 |
| Salmaplon 4 | Khandelwal Laboratories Pvt Ltd | 10 | ₹1.48 | ₹0.15 | 19 October 2026 |
| Megasal 4 | Omega Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd | 10 | ₹1.89 | ₹0.19 | 19 October 2026 |
| Salbetol 4 | FDC Ltd | 10 | ₹3.36 | ₹0.34 | 19 October 2026 |
| Asthalin 4 | Cipla Ltd | 45 | ₹15.59 | ₹0.35 | 19 October 2026 |
MRPs as printed/listed on the date shown; actual price may vary.
Uses
- Relief of wheezing, breathlessness and chest tightness in asthma when an inhaler cannot be used.
- Breathlessness in COPD (chronic bronchitis and emphysema).
- Bronchospasm from other chest conditions, as prescribed by a doctor.
How to take it
Salbutamol 4 mg tablets are usually taken three or four times a day, at about the same times each day, with water, with or without food. Your doctor may start with 2 mg and increase if needed. Do not take more tablets or more often than prescribed – it raises the heart rate and shakiness without opening the airways further. Tablets work more slowly than an inhaler and cause more side effects, so doctors usually prefer the inhaler; the tablet is used when someone cannot manage an inhaler. If your breathing is getting worse despite the tablets, seek medical help rather than taking extra.
Side effects
Common
- Shaky hands or trembling.
- Nervousness, restlessness or trouble sleeping.
- Headache.
- Fast heartbeat or palpitations.
- Muscle cramps.
Serious
Stop and get medical help urgently if you notice any of these.
- Fast, pounding or irregular heartbeat, or chest pain.
- Breathing that gets worse after a dose – stop and get medical help.
- Low potassium with high doses – weakness, cramps, irregular heartbeat.
- Severe allergic reaction – rash, hives, swelling of the face or throat.
Safety information
Alcohol
Avoid heavy drinking; alcohol can worsen a racing heart and asthma in some people.
Pregnancy
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Salbutamol inhalers are preferred in pregnancy because tablets give a bigger dose to the whole body.
Kidney problems
Tell your doctor about kidney disease or dialysis; potassium levels may need checking.
Liver problems
Tell your doctor about liver disease; no specific dose change is usual.
Children
Used in children only on a doctor's prescription, in a syrup or lower-strength tablet; 4 mg is an adult dose.
Missed dose
Take it when you remember unless the next dose is nearly due – then skip it. Do not double the dose.
Interactions
- Beta blockers (atenolol, metoprolol, propranolol) – they cancel out salbutamol and can trigger an asthma attack.
- Water pills (furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide) and steroid tablets – can lower potassium further.
- Other bronchodilators and theophylline (Deriphyllin) – more palpitations and shakiness.
- Tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline) and MAO inhibitors – more effect on the heart.
- Digoxin – levels can change.
Frequently asked questions
Asthalin 4 tablet vs Asthalin inhaler – which is better?
The inhaler is preferred. It works within minutes, uses a tiny dose and has fewer side effects. Tablets act in about 30 minutes and cause more tremor and palpitations, so they are used mainly when someone cannot use an inhaler.
How many Asthalin 4 tablets can I take in a day?
Usually one tablet three or four times a day, as prescribed. Do not take extra tablets if you are still breathless – see a doctor, because this means your asthma needs better control.
Can I take Asthalin 4 tablet for cough?
Only if the cough is due to wheezing or asthma diagnosed by a doctor. It does not treat a cold, infection or dry throat cough, and it is a Schedule H medicine.
Why do my hands shake after Asthalin tablets?
Tremor is the most common side effect of salbutamol tablets and usually fades as your body gets used to it. If it is severe, or you get palpitations or chest pain, tell your doctor.
Is Asthalin 4 safe in pregnancy?
Salbutamol is widely used in pregnancy, but the inhaler is preferred over tablets because less medicine reaches the baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.
Can I take Asthalin 4 with Deriphyllin?
Both open the airways and doctors sometimes combine them, but together they increase palpitations and shakiness. Only take both if prescribed together.
Can Asthalin tablets be given to children?
Only on a doctor's prescription. Children are usually given salbutamol syrup or 2 mg tablets with the dose worked out by weight; 4 mg is an adult dose.
Is salbutamol a steroid?
No. Salbutamol is a bronchodilator that relaxes the airway muscles. It does not contain any steroid.
Sources
- MedlinePlus – Albuterol (salbutamol) oral (19 October 2026)
- NPPA Pharma Sahi Daam (ceiling prices) (19 October 2026)
- PMBI Jan Aushadhi Product & MRP List (19 October 2026)
Medyzen Editorial Team · Last updated
This page is general information, not medical advice. Do not start, stop or change a medicine without asking a doctor or pharmacist. Terms