Albuterol is an effective drug used for the
treatment of bronchospasm.
How taken
Albuterol should only be taken as per the doctor’s direction. Never
go for larger doses or use it for longer periods unless your doctor has
asked for it.
Albuterol comes as inhaler and nebulizer. If you are using inhaler
for the first time, you have to prime it by spraying four times in the
air. You should also prime the inhaler if it has not been used for at
least two weeks. When using the inhaler, shake the devise before every
use. If you want to use the inhaler more than one time, you have to
wait for a minute before the next inhalation.
When using a nebulizer, check if the right amount of the medicine is
used.
Missed dose/overdose
If a dose is forgotten, use it when you realise it before the next
scheduled dose. If it is time for your scheduled dosage, then never go
for the skipped dose. Well, you should never compensate for your
skipped doses.
In case, you think of having taken an overdose, seek immediate
medical attention. Overdose Albuterol symptoms include headache,
nervousness, tremor, chest pain, dry mouth, rapid heart rate, sweating,
pain spreading to arms/shoulder, dizziness, and fainting.
More information
Before Albuterol is used, you should have to discuss with the doctor
about all your medical history. Tell the doctor if you have any
allergies to any specific food, medicine or any substance, including
the contents of Albuterol.
Your doctor should also be aware if you are having any problems of
the heart or blood. Inform the physician if you are diabetic or having
epilepsy or overactive thyroid. The doctor may curtail albuterol doses
if you have any of these conditions or he may even not prescribe the
drug.
Albuterol is FDA pregnancy category C. This means that the medicine
can be harmful to the foetus. So if pregnant it is better not to use
Albuterol. Though it is not yet known if the drug passes into breast
milk, breast feeding women who are on albuterol medication should only
feed the babe after consulting with the doctor.
Warnings
While using Albuterol, care should be taken that it does not enter
the eye. Some drugs are also known to interact with albuterol,
especially diuretics, beta-blockers, antidepressants and MAO
inhibitors. So it is better to tell the doctor about all the drugs that
you ar using before he prescribes Albuterol for your condition.
If you are going for any surgery or dental care, it is better to
inform the doctor that you are on Albuterol medication. Never use any
medicine for asthma without contacting the doctor.
Side effects
If you come across any allergies like hives, swelling or breathing
problems, stop using Albuterol and call your doctor without any
fail.
Some of the serious side effects that you have to be very cautious
include wheezing, chest pain, chest tightness, fast/uneven heart beats,
nervousness, tremor, extreme thirst, muscle weakness, increased
urination and high blood pressure.
Some of the lesser-known side effects include dizziness, headache,
nervousness, insomnia, hoarseness, cough, sore throat, dry mouth, dry
throat, stuffy nose, diarrhoea and muscle pain.
