The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of intravenous salbutamol in hyperkalemia. Fourteen children with chronic renal failure, three with acute renal failure and hyperkalemia were treated by intravenous infusions of 4 micrograms/kg salbutamol. Reductions in the mean plasma potassium (K+) concentrations obtained at 40 to 120 min after therapy were statistically significant when compared with the mean plasma K+ concentration at the beginning of therapy (P < 0.01).