Treatment FAQ

what to say to a patient when giving albuterol treatment?

by Shirley Adams Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Tell all of your health care providers that you take albuterol inhalation solution. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists. Do not take more of albuterol inhalation solution or use it more often than you have been told. Deaths have happened when too much of albuterol inhalation solution was taken. Talk with your doctor.

Full Answer

What should I know about albuterol before taking it?

To make sure albuterol inhalation is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have: heart disease, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure; a heart rhythm disorder; a seizure disorder such as epilepsy; diabetes; overactive thyroid; or. low levels of potassium in your blood.

What to do if you inhale too much albuterol?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of albuterol can be fatal. Overdose symptoms may include dry mouth, tremors, chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat, nausea, general ill feeling, seizure (convulsions), feeling light-headed or fainting. What should I avoid while using albuterol inhalation?

What is included in nursing assessment of albuterol toxicity?

Nursing assessment should include listening to lung sounds, obtaining blood pressure, and heart rate prior to use and during use of albuterol. If a patient has a productive cough, it's important to assess amount, color, and consistency of sputum.

Why does my husband use an albuterol inhaler?

He does notice when he exercises or if he gets ill, he has a harder time taking deep breaths and has audible wheezing. These are the times he uses his albuterol inhaler, which provides quick relief to resume normal breathing again. Are you a student or a teacher?

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What should I monitor before giving albuterol?

Indications: Albuterol is commonly used to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Nursing Considerations: Monitor respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and lungs sounds before and after administration. If more than one inhalation is ordered, wait at least 2 minutes between inhalations.

What can you teach a patient about albuterol?

Inhale slowly and deeply through your mouth. Do not breath in through your nose. Make sure that your fingers or lips do not block the vent above the mouthpiece. Remove the inhaler from your mouth and hold your breath for 10 seconds or as long as you comfortably can.

How do you instruct a patient with an inhaler?

Breathe in SlowlyHold the inhaler with the mouthpiece down. Place your lips around the mouthpiece so that you form a tight seal.As you start to slowly breathe in through your mouth, press down on the inhaler one time.Keep breathing in slowly, as deeply as you can.

What side effects should you expect to see when administering albuterol?

Side effects of albuterol include nervousness or shakiness, headache, throat or nasal irritation, and muscle aches. More-serious — though less common — side effects include a rapid heart rate (tachycardia) or feelings of fluttering or a pounding heart (palpitations).

What are your nursing responsibilities when administering bronchodilators?

The nursing interventions for patients using bronchodilators or antiasthmatics include: Relieve GI upset. Administer oral drug with food or milk to relieve GI irritation if GI upset is a problem. Monitor drug response.

How do you give albuterol to nursing?

For nebulized albuterol, the typical dose for adults and children over 12 years is 2.5 mg three or four times a day. If your patient is using an inhaler, the typical dose for adults and children over 4 years is 2 puffs every four to six hours, not to exceed 12 puffs in a 25-hour period.

In which order should the nurse instruct the client to use an inhaler?

Put the inhaler in your mouth. Press down on the inhaler quickly to release the medicine as you start to breathe in slowly. Breathe in slowly for 3 to 5 seconds. Hold your breath for 10 seconds to allow medicine to go deeply into your lungs.

When should you assist a client with an inhaler?

Ask patient to hold inhaler between thumb at the base and index and middle fingers at the top. Ask patient to tilt head back slightly and inhale deeply and slowly through mouth, while simultaneously depressing inhaler canister. Ask patient to hold breath for about 10 seconds without exhaling medication.

Which of the following is the best technique when assisting a patient with the use of a prescribed inhaler for the treatment of their asthma?

The patient should unscrew the cap (turning anticlockwise) and remove. ... Then twist it back to the left until it clicks. ... The patient should breathe out gently, away from the device. ... The patient should breathe in quickly and deeply and hold their breath for 5–10 seconds.

Why does albuterol increase heart rate?

β2 -receptor. Albuterol causes off-target effects on β1 -receptors in the heart leading to tachycardia. Future research should identify an antagonist to reduce or prevent tachycardia after albuterol administration.

Does albuterol slow heart rate?

For people with heart disorders: Tell your doctor if you have a heart condition such as insufficiency, irregular heart rate, or high blood pressure. Albuterol may significantly change your blood pressure, heart rate, or pulse. This could make your heart condition worse.

Does albuterol interact with anything?

You should also avoid cold medicine, including over-the-counter products; however, there are no known drug interactions with albuterol and cough medicine. If you are taking any of these medications, your doctor might need to adjust your dose or monitor you carefully for side effects.

What Is albuterol inhalation?

Albuterol is a bronchodilator that relaxes muscles in the airways and increases air flow to the lungs.Albuterol inhalation is used to treat or prev...

Before Taking This Medicine

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to albuterol. You should not use ProAir RespiClick if you are allergic to milk proteins.To mak...

How Should I Use albuterol inhalation?

Use albuterol inhalation exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use albuterol inhalation in...

What Happens If I Miss A Dose?

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to m...

What Happens If I Overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of albuterol can be fatal.Overdose symptoms may includ...

albuterol Inhalation Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to albuterol: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue,...

What Other Drugs Will Affect albuterol inhalation?

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially: 1. any other inhaled medicines or bronchodilators; 2...

What is albuterol used for?

Albuterol is a bronchodilator that relaxes muscles in the airways and increases air flow to the lungs. Albuterol inhalation is used to treat or prevent bronchospasm, or narrowing of the airways in the lungs, in people with asthma or certain types of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

How to store albuterol?

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, or cold temperatures. Keep the albuterol canister away from open flame or high heat , such as in a car on a hot day. The canister may explode if it gets too hot. Do not puncture or burn an empty inhaler canister.

How often should you clean an albuterol inhaler?

You may also need to shake your albuterol device just before each use. Keeping your inhaler clean is important to ensure you are receiving the medication. Clean the plastic actuator with the canister removed at least once a week. Your medicine comes with directions for properly cleaning your device.

How long does albuterol last?

To prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm, use 2 inhalations 15 to 30 minutes before you exercise. The effects of albuterol inhalation should last about 4 to 6 hours. Seek medical attention if you think your asthma medications are not working as well.

How old is too old to take albuterol?

It is also used to prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm. Albuterol inhalation is for use in adults and children who are at least 4 years old. Always follow your doctor's directions when giving albuterol to a child.

How to contact the poison line for albuterol?

An overdose of albuterol can be fatal. Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of albuterol can be fatal. Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Does albuterol harm babies?

It is not known whether albuterol will harm an unborn baby. However, having uncontrolled asthma during pregnancy may increase the risk of premature birth, low birth weight, or eclampsia (dangerously high blood pressure that can lead to medical problems in both mother and baby).

What to do if you don't understand the directions for an inhaler?

If you or your child do not understand the directions or are not sure how to use the inhaler, ask your doctor to show you what to do. Also, ask your doctor to check regularly how you or your child use the inhaler to make sure you are using it properly. To use the inhalation aerosol:

How to use inhalation solution in a nebulizer?

To use the inhalation solution in the nebulizer: Use one container of solution or mix the exact amount of solution using the dropper provided for each dose. Place the inhalation solution in the medicine reservoir or nebulizer cup on the machine. Connect the nebulizer to the face mask or mouthpiece.

How to use an inhaler aerosol?

To use the inhalation aerosol: The inhaler should be at room temperature before you use it. Insert the metal canister firmly and fully into the actuator. This actuator should not be used with other inhaled medicines. Remove the cap and look at the mouthpiece to make sure it is clean.

Why is my inhaler red?

The counter will turn red when there are only 20 doses left , to remind you to refill your prescription. To use the inhalation powder: Take the inhaler from the foil pouch before you use it for the first time. The inhaler provides about 200 inhalations. The dose counter will change to red when there are "20" doses left.

How long should you hold your breath after taking a syringe?

Hold your breath for about 10 seconds or as long as you comfortably can. Remove the inhaler from your mouth and check the dose counter to make sure you received the medicine. Close the cap firmly over the mouthpiece after using the inhaler. Always close the cap after each use.

Can you stop using Micromedex?

Drug information provided by: IBM Micromedex. Use this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it and do not use it more often than your doctor ordered. Also, do not stop using this medicine or any asthma medicine without telling your doctor. To do so may increase the chance for breathing problems.

Can you use albuterol with a nebulizer?

To do so may increase the chance for breathing problems. The albuterol inhalation solution (eg, Accuneb®) should be used with a jet nebulizer that is connected to an air compressor with good air flow. The inhalation solution and nebulizer will come with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully.

How long does albuterol stay in your system?

Maximum plasma concentrations of about 18 ng/mL of Albuterol are achieved within 2 hours, and the drug is eliminated with a half-life of about 5 hours.

How much albuterol sulfate is lethal?

The oral median lethal dose of Albuterol sulfate in mice is greater than 2000 mg/kg (approximately 250 times the maximum recommended daily oral dose for adults on a mg/m 2 basis, or, approximately 200 times the maximum recommended daily oral dose for children on a mg/m 2 basis).

What is the formula for albuterol sulfate?

Albuterol sulfate has a molecular weight of 576.7, and the molecular formula is (C 13 H 21 NO 3) 2. H 2 SO 4. Albuterol sulfate, USP is a white or almost white crystalline powder, freely soluble in water, practically insoluble or very slightly soluble in Methylene chloride and alcohol, slightly soluble in Chloroform and Ether.

How many times a day should I take a sulfate supplement?

For adults and children 12 years and older, a dosage above 4 mg four times a day should be used only when the patient fails to respond. If a favorable response does not occur with the 4 mg initial dosage, it should be cautiously increased stepwise up to a maximum of 8 mg four times a day as tolerated.

Can albuterol cause asthma?

Asthma may deteriorate acutely over a period of hours or chronically over several days or longer. If the patient needs more doses of Albuterol than usual, this may be a marker of destabilization of asthma and requires reevaluation of the patient and treatment regimen, giving special consideration to the possible need for anti-inflammatory treatment, e.g., corticosteroids.

How much bronchodilator should I take for elderly?

If adequate bronchodilation is not obtained, dosage may be increased gradually to as much as 8 mg three or four times a day.

Does albuterol sulfate affect the brain?

Intravenous studies in rats with Albuterol sulfate have demonstrated that Albuterol crosses the blood brain barrier and reaches brain concentrations amounting to approximately 5% of the plasma concentrations. In structures outside the brain barrier (pineal and pituitary glands), Albuterol concentrations were found to be 100 times those in the whole brain.

What to tell your doctor before taking albuterol?

Before starting albuterol, tell your doctor about any prescription medicines, vitamins, supplements, or over-the-counter drugs you are taking. Certain medicines affect the way albuterol works, including other asthma drugs, other inhaled medicines, beta-blockers, diuretics, digoxin, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), ...

What is albuterol used for?

Albuterol is a short-acting beta-agonist (SABA). It is used as a rescue medicine to treat asthma attacks in people ages 4 and older. It is also approved to prevent exercise-induced asthma. Albuterol is taken using a metered-dose inhaler. 1-3.

Why is albuterol used for asthma?

4. When albuterol is used to treat exercise-induced asthma, it is taken before exercising to prevent the constriction of the airway muscles.

How long does albuterol last?

Albuterol affects the whole airway, from the large trachea to the very small bronchioles. It generally works in 5 to 8 minutes. The effects last 3 to 6 hours. 1-3.

What are the side effects of albuterol?

The most common side effects of albuterol include: 1-3. Headaches. Dizziness. Muscle pain. Sore throat. Nausea, vomiting. Running nose. Feelings of shakiness or nervousness. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of these potentially serious side effects: 4.

Can albuterol cause breathing problems?

In serious cases, taking albuterol could cause your airways to tighten suddenly. This is called a bronchospasm and can make breathing difficult. This side effect happens immediately after using the inhaler. It can occur the first time you use a new canister. If this happens to you, call your doctor, and use a different asthma treatment. 1-3

Can you take albuterol with asthma?

Overusing your albuterol inhaler can worsen your asthma. Studies show that taking albuterol regularly can lead to worse lung function and asthma control. Albuterol is meant to provide occasional quick relief of symptoms, not long-term control. Using albuterol more than 2 days per week is a sign of poor asthma control.

What to do if you are allergic to albuterol?

If you are allergic to albuterol inhalation solution; any part of albuterol inhalation solution; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had. If you are using another drug like this one. If you are not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

What to do if your symptoms are not getting better?

Consumer information use. If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor. Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs. Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet.

What to do if you think you have an overdose?

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Can you take albuterol inhalation solution?

Tell all of your health care providers that you take albuterol inhalation solution. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists. Do not take more of albuterol inhalation solution or use it more often than you have been told. Deaths have happened when too much of albuterol inhalation solution was taken.

Can you take albuterol with OTC?

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take albuterol inhalation solution with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

Can you take albuterol 2 times at the same time?

If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time. Do not use 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

Can a drug cause side effects?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away: Feeling nervous and excitable. Dizziness or headache.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

What is albuterol used for?

Albuterol. Albuterol is a medication that's used to help with problems such as shortness of breath caused by constricted airways. It's a medication frequently used for asthma and COPD. It works by opening up the airways to improve airflow. Albuterol is classified as a bronchodilator. The bronchus in the lung may become narrowed, ...

How does albuterol work?

Albuterol works by opening up the airways to improve airflow. Side effects most commonly experienced include anxiety, jitteriness, and fast heart rate. If paradoxical bronchospasm occurs, the physician should be contacted.

Why should you wash your inhaler?

The container holding the inhaler should routinely be washed to prevent bacteria growth. If shortness of breath worsens or isn't relieved with treatment, contact your doctor. Lesson Summary. Bronchoconstriction causes shortness of breath and wheezing in conditions such as asthma and COPD. Albuterol is a medication classified as a bronchodilator ...

What should nursing assessment include?

Nursing assessment should include listening to lung sounds, obtaining blood pressure, and heart rate prior to use and during use of albuterol. If a patient has a productive cough, it's important to assess amount, color, and consistency of sputum. It's also important to assess for paradoxical bronchospasm, which is the opposite of the intended reaction of albuterol. Instead of relieving bronchoconstriction, it increases it, which results in increased wheezing and difficulty breathing. Nursing assessment should also include effectiveness of treatment.

Does albuterol cause heart problems?

This is a normal response that occurs after taking a dose. Albuterol is not to be used for patients that have a known hypersensitivity to adrenergic amines. If a person has heart disease, hypertension, hypothyroidism, or a seizure disorder, use of this drug is cautioned.

Can you use albuterol for hypersensitivity?

Albuterol is not to be used for people with hypersensitivity to adrenergics, and use is cautioned with certain conditions. Nursing implications include assessment before and during treatment. Nurses should also provide teaching on proper use of albuterol, as well as side effects to be aware of.

What is the treatment for CHF?

Typically, CHF patients are treated with Lasix, Coreg, and Lisinopril. Emergent pulmonary edema might buy them some IV Lasix, nitro, and morphine. However, if the patient has COPD as well as CHF, then they may get Albuterol for bronchospasm.

Does albuterol cause pumonary congestion?

It is because Albuterol is a sympathomimetic, which means that it increases heart rate and blood pressure, two things that lead to pumonary congestion in CHF patients. I do not see Albuterol used in this way on the inpatient unit that I work on, however.

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How It Works

  1. Albuterol is a bronchodilator - this means it relaxes muscles in the airways, widening them and allowing more air to flow into the lungs.
  2. Albuterol works preferentially on beta2 receptors, which are the predominant receptors in the smooth muscle of the bronchi (the breathing tubes). Activation of these receptors leads to relaxation o...
  1. Albuterol is a bronchodilator - this means it relaxes muscles in the airways, widening them and allowing more air to flow into the lungs.
  2. Albuterol works preferentially on beta2 receptors, which are the predominant receptors in the smooth muscle of the bronchi (the breathing tubes). Activation of these receptors leads to relaxation o...
  3. Albuterol belongs to the class of medicines known as bronchodilators. It is also called a short-acting beta-agonist (SABA).

Upsides

  1. Used to treat or prevent bronchospasm in adults and children over the age of 6 with asthma (reversible obstructive airways disease). This allows patients to breathe easier (relieves bronchospasm).
  2. Also useful for treating exercise-induced bronchospasm.
  3. May be used to relieve symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). May be …
  1. Used to treat or prevent bronchospasm in adults and children over the age of 6 with asthma (reversible obstructive airways disease). This allows patients to breathe easier (relieves bronchospasm).
  2. Also useful for treating exercise-induced bronchospasm.
  3. May be used to relieve symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). May be given in combination with ipratropium bromide.
  4. Regular use of albuterol in people with COPD (in contrast to people with asthma) does not appear to be detrimental.

Bottom Line

  • Albuterol helps people with asthma and certain other breathing disorders to breathe easier. While it is effective at relieving symptoms of asthma, it does not prevent asthma from getting worse.
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Tips

  1. If you use an albuterol inhaler, ask your pharmacist or doctor to check that you are using it correctly. You will need to prime your inhaler before you first use it, or if you haven't used it for a...
  2. To use the inhaler, exhale slowly and place the mouthpiece of the inhaler well into the mouth …
  1. If you use an albuterol inhaler, ask your pharmacist or doctor to check that you are using it correctly. You will need to prime your inhaler before you first use it, or if you haven't used it for a...
  2. To use the inhaler, exhale slowly and place the mouthpiece of the inhaler well into the mouth with the lips closed around it. As you push down on the inhaler, inhale slowly and deeply through the m...
  3. Most inhalation devices require regular cleaning or else they will clog. Follow the instructions provided on how to clean your device and mouthpiece. Discard the canister after the labeled number o...
  4. Store your device at room temperature away from heat, cold, open flames, and moisture. Do not puncture or burn an empty canister.

Response and Effectiveness

  1. Effects of albuterol usually last four to six hours, sometimes eight hours or longer. Unless your doctor has told you to, resist the temptation to increase the dose of albuterol or to take it more...
  2. Albuterol can also be fatal if too much is taken. If you think somebody has taken too much albuterol, seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
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Interactions

  • Medicines that interact with albuterol may either decrease its effect, affect how long it works, increase side effects, or have less of an effect when taken with albuterol. An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of the medications; however, sometimes it does. Speak to your doctor about how drug interactions should be mana…
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Further Information

  • Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use albuterol only for the indication prescribed. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Copyright 1996-2022 Drugs.com. Revision date: April 4, 2022. Medical Disclaimer
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Albuterol Description

Albuterol - Clinical Pharmacology

Indications and Usage For Albuterol

Contraindications

Warnings

  • Paradoxical Bronchospasm
    Albuterol tablets can produce paradoxical bronchospasm, which may be life threatening. If paradoxical bronchospasm occurs, Albuterol should be discontinued immediately and alternative therapy instituted.
  • Cardiovascular Effects
    Albuterol, like all other beta-adrenergic agonists, can produce a clinically significant cardiovascular effect in some patients as measured by pulse rate, blood pressure, and/or symptoms. Although such effects are uncommon after administration of Albuterol tablets at rec…
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Precautions

Adverse Reactions

Overdosage

How Is Albuterol Supplied

Frequently Asked Questions

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