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Albuterol
From WikEM
Contents
General
- Type: Beta-2 agonist
- Dosage Forms: aerosol inhaler, liquid nebulized form, PO
- Common Trade Names: ProAir HFA, Proventil, Ventolin HFA, ReliOn Ventolin HFA, Accuneb
Adult Dosing
- Mild Asthma/COPD - 90mcg/inh via inhalation aerosol q4hrs prn wheezing
- Mod/Severe Asthma/COPD exacerbation - 5mg Nebulized q15mins
- Hyperkalemia (not-FDA approved) - 15-20mg Nebulized
Pediatric Dosing
- Mild asthma exacerbation - 1-2 puffs of 90mcg/inh via inhaled aerosol q4hrs prn wheezing
- Mod/Severe asthma exacerbation - 2.5mg nebulized q20mins
- Wheezing - 2.5mg nebulized q20mins
Special Populations
- Pregnancy Rating: C
- Lactation Risk Categories: Probably safe
- Renal Dosing
- Adult: no adjustment
- Pediatric: no adjustment
- Hepatic Dosing
- Adult: not defined
- Pediatric: not defined
Contraindications
- Allergy to class/drug
- caution if ischemic heart disease
- caution if hypertension
- caution if arrhythmias
- caution if hypokalemia
- caution if diabetes mellitus
- caution if seizure disorder
- caution if hyperthyroidism
- caution if pheochromocytoma
- caution if pregnancy
- caution if elderly patients
Adverse Reactions
Serious
- hypersensitivity reactions
- bronchospasm, paradoxical
- hypertension
- angina
- MI
- hypokalemia
- arrhythmias
Common
- tremor
- nervousness
- headache
- nausea
- tachycardia
- muscle cramps
- palpitations
- insomnia
- dizziness
Pharmacology
- Half-life: 2.7-6h
- Metabolism: liver, CYP450
- Excretion: urine primarily, feces
- Mechanism of Action: stimulates beta-2 adrenergic receptors, relaxing airway smooth muscle
