Side Effects From Albuterol Aerosol Inhalation
Patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) need to find a medication they can take that will help to relieve bronchospasms, or tightening of the airways in the lungs. One medication that works quickly to reverse these attacks is albuterol, which is formulated most commonly as an aerosol in an inhaler.
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Uses
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The albuterol aerosol inhaler is used by patients to treat, not cure, asthma and COPD. The medication in albuterol is a bronchodilator, which helps to relax and open the bronchi in the lungs during an asthma attack. Since asthma has several different causes, such as allergies, stress, emotions and exercise, albuterol can be used to quickly reverse an attack. Using an inhaler before starting an exercise session will help to prevent an attack--the inhaler has to be used approximately 15 to 30 minutes prior to exercising.
Inhaler
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The inhaler, or "metered-dose inhaler," is manufactured as a canister with the medication inside. Every time he refills his prescription, the patient receives an entire unit, both the canister and actuator, which is the plastic housing unit that allows him to squeeze the aerosol into his mouth and lungs. Each canister contains approximately 200 inhalations. A patient should not use the inhaler past 200 inhalations.
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Side Effects
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The asthmatic can experience uncontrollable shaking of a body part, such as the hands or legs, after using her inhaler; she may also feel nervous. Other side effects include headache, nausea, vomiting, cough and pain in her back, bones and/or muscles. Some of these side effects may not appear for some asthmatics; for others, the symptoms may be mild or insignificant. The patient should discuss these with her doctor.
Serious Side Effects
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If the asthmatic experiences side effects such as chest pain, a fast or irregular heartbeat, rash, itching, hives or hoarseness or if he experiences swelling of his throat, lips, eyes, tongue, face, feet, hands, ankles or lower legs, he needs to call his doctor immediately. The asthmatic can also experience other serious side effects and, if so, he should alert his doctor right away.
Contraindications
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The patient with a hypersensitivity to albuterol or any of its ingredients, active or inactive, should avoid using this medication, as it can be potentially life threatening. If she is also using monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MOA) or a tricyclic antidepressant or if she has discontinued use of these medications within two weeks of receiving her albuterol prescription, she should either wait for two full weeks to pass or use the albuterol with extreme caution--these medications can intensify the effect of the albuterol on her vascular system.
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