Albuterol
Albuterol is given to persons who suffer from bronchospasm
with reversible obstructive airway disease. Doctors also prescribed it for treating
exercise-induced bronchospasm.
Drug uses
Albuterol is a bronchodilator, which acts on muscles in the lungs. When the muscles get relaxed, more blood flows into the region, which gives the patient a great relief.
How Taken
The drug should be taken as per the prescriptions only. You should never take Albuterol for long days or take larger doses as it can only risk your health.
Albuterol is available as inhaler and nebulizer. When using the two devises, you should have to be careful. When using an inhaler for the first time, prime it by spraying into the air for 4 times. If you have not used the inhaler for the last 2 weeks, you should again prime it. Moreover, if you are using inhaler for more times at one go, give a gap of one minute before taking the second inhalation. While using a nebulizer, care should be taken that you use the right amount of the medicine in it.
Missed dose/Overdose
You get the best results from Albuterol only if the drug is taken at the right amount at the right time. Once you have dropped a dosage by mistake, you can have it once you realise it. In case your next dosage time is so close, skip the missed dose. Never compensate for a missed dose.
You should have to contact your doctor immediately in case you have taken an overdose of Albuterol. Some of the overdose symptoms include nervousness, headache, rapid/uneven heart rate, dry mouth, tremor, sweating, pain spreading to arms/ shoulder, chest pain, nausea, dizziness and light-headedness.
More Information
Albuterol should not be taken if you have allergies to its contents. Moreover, before Albuterol is prescribed for your condition, just inform the doctor about all your health related problems. Discuss with the physician if you have any problems of the heart or blood. Let the doctor know if you have hypertension, diabetes, seizures and overactive thyroid. Albuterol may not be prescribed or the doctor may go for some dose adjustment if you have any of the above-mentioned conditions.
The drug is rated FDA pregnancy category C. This means that pregnant women and breast-feeding women should not use the Albuterol as it can cause harm to the foetus and also the new born.
Warnings
Take care that the drug does not enter the eye. In case it happens, rinse the eyes with water and contact the doctor without further delay.
Albuterol is known to interact with certain medicines. So you have to inform the doctor about all the drugs that you are using before Albuterol is prescribed for your bronchospasm. Never take diuretic, beta-blockers, digoxin, MAO inhibitors and antidepressants without informing the physician.
Side effects
As like all medicines, Albuterol also comes with allergic reactions and many side effects. In case you experience allergic reactions such as hives or swelling and serious side effects like wheezing, breathing problems, chest tightness, nervousness, uneven heartbeat, extreme thirst, tremor, increased urination and hypertension, contact the doctor without fail.