Albuterol - Its Uses, Adverse Effects, and Precautions

Overview:

Albuterol, also called (Salbutamol) is used to prevent and treat dyspnea (difficulty breathing), wheezing, shortness of breath, cough, and chest tightness caused by pulmonary diseases. Albuterol inhalation aerosol and oral inhalation powder are also used to prevent dyspnea during exercise. Albuterol belongs to the class of drugs called bronchodilators. These drugs relax and open the airways to your lungs for easier breathing.

What Are the Indications for the Use of Albuterol?

Albuterol is used in the following cases:

• Alleviation and prevention of bronchospasms due to bronchial asthma, reversible obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic bronchitis, and other chronic bronchopulmonary diseases in which bronchospasm is an aggravating factor.

• Acute prophylaxis against bronchospasm induced by exercise and other stimuli known to induce bronchospasm.

How Does Albuterol Work?

Albuterol acts on beta-2 adrenergic receptors (receptors present in the airways) to relax bronchial smooth muscle. It also stops the release of immediate hypersensitivity mediators from cells, especially mast cells. Albuterol also affects beta-1 adrenergic receptors, but this is minimal and has little effect on the heart rate.

Habit-Forming and Long-Term Usage:

Long-term Abluterol usage is associated with more frequent symptoms, poorer asthma control, and more frequent exacerbations.

Expiry Date:

Do not use the medicine beyond the expiration date printed on the back of the medicine package.

How Is Albuterol Administered?

Albuterol comes in the following dosage forms and strengths:

• A metered-dose aerosol inhaler provides 90 μg (base)/actuation. This corresponds to 108 μg albuterol sulfate. Metered dose inhaler powders give the same values ​​as aerosol metered dose inhalers.

• Albuterol is also available in 2 mg and 4 mg tablets. Slow-release tablets are available in 4 mg and 6 mg strengths.

• As a nebulizing solution, Albuterol is available in 0.083%, 0.5%, 0.63mg/3ml, and 1.25mg/3ml dosage forms.

• There is also an oral syrup with a concentration of 2 mg/5 ml.

• A 2.5 mg solution nebulized 2 - 3 times daily as needed is acceptable for rapid relief from symptoms.

• Age is an important factor in the course of treatment. Dosing in children is decided according to the body weight and only under a pediatrician's consult.

Used for

• Adult Dosage

• Pediatric Dosage

Inhaler with Metered Dose

90 μg (base)/actuation

All doses in children are decided according to the body weight and after consulting with a pediatrician.

Nebulizing Solution

0.083%, 0.5%, 0.63mg/3ml, and 1.25mg/3ml dosage forms.2.5 mg solution nebulized 2-3 times daily.

Oral Syrup

2 mg/5 ml. concentration available

Slow Release Tablet

4 mg and 6 mg strengths

Usage:

Use this medicine only as directed by the physician. Avoid heavy usage as it increases the chances of developing breathing problems.

Albuterol inhalation solutions should be used with a nebulizer connected to an air compressor with good airflow. Inhalers and nebulizers come with patient instructions. Following instructions should be followed while administering Albuterol:

How to Use the Inhaler With a Nebulizer?

• Use the solution container or mix the solution with the dropper with each dose.

• Place the inhalation solution or the device's nebulizer cup into the medication reservoir.

• Medicine should be inhaled using a face mask or mouthpiece.

• The nebulizer should be used for 10 - 15 minutes.

• The nebulizer should be cleaned after every use.

Instructions for Using Inhalation Aerosols:

• The inhaler should be at room temperature before use.

• Install the metal canister firmly and completely into the drive.

• Shake the inhaler well before use.

• A gap of 1 minute should be there between puffs.

• Rinse the mouth after taking the medication.

• Clean the mouthpiece after using the inhaler.

• If the mouthpiece is clogged, cleaning it will help.

What Are the Contraindications of Albuterol?

Hypersensitivity is a contraindication to albuterol. Also, if a person has severe hypersensitivity to milk protein, it is recommended to avoid using Albuterol.

What Are the Warnings and Precautions for Albuterol Usage?

• Physicians should be informed if allergic to Albuterol or any other ingredient in albuterol inhalation powder or nebulizer solution.

• The physician should be informed of allergy to milk protein.

• Paradoxical bronchospasm can occur, so it is important to advise patients to discontinue use and seek medical attention if symptoms worsen during use.

Overdose:

A dose of 1 mg/kg is potentially toxic to children under the age of six years. In addition, Albuterol, like other beta 2-adrenergic receptor agonists, has been shown to cause an increase in liver enzymes.

Medical attention should be immediately sought if there is a chance of accidental overdose.

Some symptoms of an albuterol overdose include:

• Chest tightness.

• Shallow or rapid breathing.

• Wheezing.

• Blurred vision.

• Chest pain.

• Rapid heartbeat.

• Tingling in hands or feet.

• Tremors.

• Seizures.

• Hyperglycemia (High blood sugar) or hypoglycemia (Low blood sugar).

• Low potassium levels.

What Are the Interactions of Albuterol?

With Other Drugs:

Use of this medication with any of the following drugs is not recommended. Since this information does not cover all the drugs, referring to a physician is recommended.

Lethal drug interactions with Albuterol include:

• Methacholine.

• Midodrine.

• Linezolid.

• Propranolol.

Other drug interactions which need monitoring are:

• Atenolol.

• Labetalol.

• Metoprolol.

• Nadolol.

• Propranolol.

• Digoxin.

• Epinephrine.

• Metaproterenol and levalbuterol.

• Chlorthalidone.

• Chlorothiazide.

• Hydrochlorothiazide.

• Indapamide.

• Metolazone.

• Furosemide.

• Amitriptyline.

• Amoxapine.

• Clomipramine.

• Desipramine.

• Doxepin.

• Imipramine.

• Nortriptyline.

• Protriptyline.

• Trimipramine.

• Isocarboxazid.

• Phenelzine.

• Selegiline.

• Tranylcypromine.

With Food:

Interactions between caffeinated foods and Albuterol can cause sleep disturbances and nervousness.

With Diseases:

Use of Albuterol should be suspended until further advice from a qualified physician in case of the following conditions:

• Allergy to milk protein.

• Diabetes.

• Heart or blood vessel disease (Such as coronary artery insufficiency).

• Arrhythmia (e.g., arrhythmia, QT prolongation).

• High blood pressure (hypertension).

• Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid).

• Hypokalemia (low blood potassium).

• Ketoacidosis (high levels of ketones in the blood).

• Seizure history - It can make these conditions worse.

• Kidney disease - Eliminating the drug from the body is slowed so that it may be more effective.

With Alcohol:

Drinking alcoholic beverages while taking this medicine may cause side effects. Perhaps most dangerously, the combination of alcohol and Albuterol can adversely affect the cardiovascular system.

• Palpitations.

• High blood pressure (hypertension).

• Tachycardia (rapid heartbeat).

• Changes in blood pressure;

• Peripheral vasodilation (relaxation and dilation of specific blood vessels).

• Changes in ECG results (QT interval prolongation, T-wave flattening, etc.).