Albuterol Sulfate

Albuterol has been around since 1981 in the United States and before that in Europe. Since that time it has become an incredibly popular drug. According to a 2002 document provided by the CDC http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/ad/ad345.pdf Albuterol was the second most prescribed or provided drug for all people who went to see a health care provider. It was given more than Aspirin, more than the flu vaccine. This medicine like many others has a host of different brand names. If you travel to other countries and you use this medicine it would be wise to learn the brand name in that country. The WHO's official name for this med is Salmererol. It can be given as an aerosol, tablet, syrup, powder.

In more detail - Aslbuterol is a relatively selective Beta2-adrenergic bronchodilator. A Beta2-adrenergic refers to recepters associated with smooth muscle cells. These receptors when inhibited cause the muscle to relax and when these the smooth muscles relax the bronchial tubes dialate and the patient breathes easier.

How long will it last - Inhaled, between four to six hours. Inhaled the drug is very quick acting, improvement in pulmonary functions happen as quick as five minutes.

Adverse Reactions - The side effects of albuterol include tremors, nausea, bronchospasm, headache, insomnia, tachycardia. There are many warnings associated with this drug. Please see http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a682145.html for more information.

Drug Interactions -

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors or Trycyclic Antidepressants - Actions of albuterol on the vascular system may be potentiated.

Beta Blockers - Beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agents may produce severe bronchospasm in asthmatics. These medicines also block the effects of beta-agonists

Diuretics - Overuse of beta-agonists with the administration of nonpotasium-sparing diuretics can be acutely worsoned by Albuterol

Side Effects - Tremor is the most common adverse reaction with the use of Albuterol others of note are bronchospasm which may occur in between 1.7 and 8%. Cough from 2.6% to 4%

For many years Albuterol has been one of the drugs of choice for respiratory related problems in the hospital. Doctors regularly prescribe it for the treatment of asthma, COPD, pneumonia, bronchitis and emyphesemia.

 

 

Last Updated 6/17/2006 10:21:05 PM