The effect of intravenous salbutamol upon plasma and urinary potassium during premature labour.

Plasma potassium and urinary potassium excretion were measured in eight patients in premature labour treated with salbutamol, and in ten patients at full term in spontaneous labour. There was a significant fall in plasma potassium concentration following salbutamol infusion, but no change during labour in the control groups. Urinary potassium excretion was similar in both groups.