Albuterol: The Breath of Life

For people who suffer from any kind of breathing problems, Albuterol can rightly be called the breath of life for them, as the Albuterol inhaler can make their inhalation easy by opening the blocked airways.

Why is This Medication Prescribed?

Albuterol is prescribed to prevent and treat wheezing, shortness of breath and troubled breathing caused by asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema and other lung diseases. Albuterol inhalation also aims to prevent breathing difficulties commonly known as bronchospasm during exercise.

Albuterol belongs to a class of medications called beta-agonists. It works wonders by relaxing and opening air passages in the lungs thus making it easier to breathe.

What Are The Advantages of Using Albuterol?

When the muscles in the airway contract the air flow into and within the lungs is impeded. This condition is known as bronchospasm and occurs in disorders such as asthma. Albuterol is one of the wonder drugs which help in relieving these symptoms.

The biggest advantage of Albuterol is that it relaxes the muscles in the airways and provides relief from obstructive airway diseases such as asthma.

How Should This Medicine Be Used?

To make its intake easy and convenient for patients, Albuterol is available in form of tablets, extended-release (long-acting) tablets and syrup to be taken orally. Also, Albuterol comes in form of an aerosol-a solution, and a powder-filled capsule to inhale by mouth.

When the inhaler is prescribed for you, make sure you understand all the directions regarding its use. It is better that you take your first dose in the presence of your doctor so that s/he may instruct you regarding its use.

The easiest way to use a solution is to inhale it by using a nebulizer, while the powder-filled capsules are inhaled using a special dry powder inhaler. The recommended dosage for Albuterol tablets and syrup is three or four times a day. Extended-release tablets are usually taken twice a day. They should only be swallowed as a whole as they are formulated to slowly release in the stomach.

For the treatment or prevention of asthma symptoms, the oral inhalation is usually used every 4 to 6 hours as needed by the patient. To avoid bronchospasm during exercise, the patient is given the oral inhalation fifteen minutes before exercise. The nebulized solution is used three or four times a day.

It is a matter of great significance that you follow all the instruction on the prescription label and clarifies anything you do not understand with your doctor. Remember, always take Albuterol as recommended. Taking it more or less may result in some harmful reactions.