A Deep Insight Into Albuterol
Albuterol:
An Introduction
For patients suffering from asthma and
related breathing problems, Albuterol is good
news. Albuterol is a bronchodilator,
a drug that relaxes and dilates the bronchial
passageways and improves the passage of air into
the lungs. Albuterol is used in
the relief and prevention of airway obstruction
or bronchospasm in asthmatic. It is also given
to people who experience exercise-induced asthma.
Albuterol belongs to a class of medications called
beta-agonists which lead to flight or fight response
in the body.
Albuterol can also be used in treating those patients
with emphysema (decreased respiratory function)
and chronic bronchitis (inflammation of bronchial
tubes) when their symptoms are related to reversible
airway obstruction. The inhaled form of Albuterol
starts working within 15 minutes and its effect
can last up to 6 hours.
Conditions
in Which Albuterol Is Taken
The main problems which Albuterol addresses are
asthma and bronchospasm. Asthma is a breathing
problem which involves extensive contraction of
the airways or bronchial tubes that allow air
to move in and out of the lungs. These airways
can be narrowed due to the accumulation of mucus,
spasm of the muscles that surround these airways
or swelling of the lining of the airways.
Narrowing of the airway leads
to shortness of breath, wheezing, cough and congestion.
Thus, it is here that Albuterol works by dilating
bronchial airways by relaxing the surrounding
bronchial muscles and improves the delivery of
oxygen. In other words, it helps in reversing
airway obstruction.
Albuterol
Usage In Other Conditions
Inhaled Albuterol is also useful
in certain other conditions. It is sometimes used
to treat or improve occasional muscle paralysis
and high potassium levels in patients with kidney
failure.
Proper Usage
of The Drug
Albuterol inhalations should be administered
only as prescribed by your doctor. Excessive use
of inhaled Albuterol can harm the heart. Albuterol
inhalations should be administered with proper
technique and specific instructions as mentioned
on the packaging of the drug.
Also
- Children should always be supervised by an
adult while they are taking Albuterol.
- Patients requiring more inhalations for relief
of asthma symptoms should seek medical advice.
- Albuterol should be stored between 59 and
86º F.
- The Albuterol canister should be kept away
from heat or flame it should not be deliberately
punctured.
Some Precautionary Measures
To Take While Using Albuterol
If you suffer from coronary heart disease
or cardiac rhythm disturbances also known as arrhythmias,
you should be very cautious while using Albuterol
as excess of it can be harmful for you.
Use of Albuterol with other stimulant
medications is discouraged. The combined reaction
of these medications can cause harmful effects
on the heart rate, blood pressure and chest pain
in patients who suffer from underlying heart diseases.
Tricyclic antidepressants such
as Elavil should not be used together with Albuterol
as they can have a toxicity reaction to the vascular
system.
In rare cases, inhaled Albuterol
can paradoxically precipitate life-threatening
bronchospasm.
SIDE EFFECTS OF ALBUTEROL
Some common side effects
of Albuterol
Some side effects that may occur are
- Tremor
- Nervousness
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Headache
- Upset stomach
- Cough
- Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- Dry mouth
- Throat irritation
Random Side
Effects of Albuterol
Other symptoms of side effects are increased difficulty
in breathing, rapid or increased heart rate, chest
pain or discomfort, irregular heartbeat or severe
rash. If you develop any of these symptoms, discontinue
the use of Albuterol and seek medical attention
immediately.
Allergic
Reactions of Albuterol
Allergic reactions may rarely occur and can cause
rash, hives, swelling, bronchospasm, and anaphylaxis
(shock). Worsening of diabetes and lowering of
potassium have also been reported.
When
to Avoid Albuterol
Albuterol should not be taken with certain other
drugs. Do not use Albuterol if you are taking
the following medicines
- atenolol (Tenormin)
- carteolol (Cartol)
- labetalol (Nermoclyne, Trandate)
- metoprolol (Lepressor)
- nadolol (Corgarel)
- phenelzine (Nardil)
- propranolol (Inderal)
- sotalol (Betapace)
- teophylline (Theo-Dur)
- timolol (Blocodren)
- tranylcypromine (Parnate)
Also, any other medications for
asthma, heart disease or depression should be
firmly avoided while using Albuterol. Common brand
names for Albuterol are Ventolin; Proventil; Airet®;
Proventil®; Proventil® HFA; Ventolin®;
Ventolin® Rotocaps® and Volmax®.
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