Pharmacokinetics of intravenous salbutamol in renal insufficiency and its biological effects.

Salbutamol was administered intravenously to 5 patients with renal function impairment for estimation its pharmacokinetic parameters. The mean terminal half-life was 256 min, similar to previously reported values in healthy adults. The mean clearance (167 ml/min) and the mean volume of distribution (551) were decreased. These parameters were not correlated with the creatinine clearance. A slight but significant decrease was observed in the plasma potassium level up to 125 min after the salbutamol infusion. The heart rate was significantly increased, and the increase in 3 patients was correlated with the salbutamol concentration. The biological effects of the drug were less marked than expected.