10 Secrets About Albuterol For ASTHMA
VIDEO: HOW TO USE AN ALBUTEROL INHALER
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Some people may use albuterol only occasionally when they’re having symptoms. Others need to use it on a regular schedule. Your doctor will help you decide how often you should take albuterol.
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Side effects are mostly temporary. They may include increased heart rate and shakiness.
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Use as prescribed. If you feel like you need to use your albuterol more frequently, this may be a sign that your breathing problem is getting worse. Tell your doctor, as he may decide to prescribe a different medication.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
faster heart rate
After your dose See Details
allergic reaction
May cause allergic reaction See Details
Drug Features
Albuterol is a prescription medication. It’s available as an inhalant, nebulizer solution, oral syrup, oral tablet, and oral extended-release tablet. An intravenous form of this drug is only used in healthcare facilities.
If you’re using albuterol to treat asthma. You also may be taking a corticosteroid, such as fluticasone or budesonide, to control swelling of your airways related to your asthma. You should only use albuterol as a quick-relief medication. Albuterol is very fast acting.
Why It’s Used
Albuterol is used to treat bronchospasm in people with asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema.
How It Works
Albuterol is a bronchodilator. It causes your airways to relax and open up for better breathing. It works well at recommended doses and has few side effects.
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Albuterol Side Effects
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MOST COMMON SIDE EFFECTS
The most common side effects that occur with albuterol include:
shakiness, tremor
racing heart
dry mouth
excitement, especially in children or teenagers
SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS
If you experience any of these serious side effects, call your doctor right away. If your symptoms are potentially life threatening or if you think you’re experiencing a medical emergency, call 9-1-1.
chest pain
high blood pressure. Symptoms don’t often occur. When they do, they can include:
headache
dizziness
nose bleed
allergic reaction. Symptoms may include:
increased wheezing
itching
hives
hypokalemia (lowered potassium level). Symptoms may include:
extreme tiredness
extreme weakness
slowed heart rate
Albuterol has predictable side effects after you take a dose. You may experience an increased heart rate, restlessness, and shakiness for a few minutes after taking albuterol. If these side effects don’t go away after a few hours, call your doctor or pharmacist.
Most albuterol side effects are temporary. If your side effects last more than a few minutes, call your doctor.
Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare provider who knows your medical history.
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Albuterol May Interact with Other Medications
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Albuterol may interact with other medications, herbs, or vitamins you’re taking. That’s why your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. If you’re curious about how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Note: You can reduce your chances of drug interactions by having all of your prescriptions filled at the same pharmacy. That way, a pharmacist can check for possible drug interactions.
How to Take Albuterol (Dosage)
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All possible dosages and forms may not be included here. Your dose, form, and how often you take it will depend on:
your age
the condition being treated
how severe your condition is
other medical conditions you have
how you react to the first dose
If You Don’t Take It at All
If you’re prescribed albuterol and don’t use it, you may experience mild or severe asthma symptoms. If you have severe asthma and don’t use your albuterol, you could have an asthma attack, which can be fatal.
If You Don’t Use Your Steroid Inhaler
If you need to use a steroid inhaler and you don’t use it, albuterol may not be enough to help you prevent long-term effects from untreated asthma. Always use prescribed steroids first and rely on albuterol only as a rescue medication.
If You Take It More Often Than Prescribed
If you feel like you need to use albuterol more often than your doctor prescribed, it may be a sign that your breathing problems are getting worse. Tell your doctor so they can decide whether you need a different medication for your breathing. Let your doctor know if you use more than one canister of the albuterol inhaler in a month.
If You Take Too Much
If you use too much albuterol, your heart rate may increase and cause you to feel dizzy, lightheaded, or short of breath. Make sure to always follow your doctor’s instructions for using this drug.
How to Tell If the Drug Is Working
Albuterol is a quick-relief drug. You should be able to breathe more easily within a few minutes after taking it. It should reduce coughing or wheezing.
Is it a short-term or long-term treatment?
Albuterol can be used for both short-term and long-term treatment.
Short-term treatment:
a few days or weeks after you have a respiratory infection like the flu or pneumonia
occasionally for mild asthma or before exercise if you have asthma only when exercising
Long-term treatment:
Management of asthma along with a steroid inhaler as well as other chronic breathing problems. If you use it this way, you should need it only once or twice a week.
