Albuterol Sulfate(al byoo’ ter ole)
AccuNeb, ProAir HFA, Proventil HFA, Ventolin Diskus (CAN), Ventolin HFA, Ventolin Oral Liquid (CAN), VoSpire ERDNC
PREGNANCY CATEGORY C
Drug Classes
Antiasthmatic
Beta2-selective adrenergic agonist
Bronchodilator
Sympathomimetic
Therapeutic Actions
In low doses, acts relatively selectively at beta2-adrenergic receptors to cause bronchodilation and vasodilation; at higher doses, beta2 selectivity is lost, and the drug acts at beta2 receptors to cause typical sympathomimetic cardiac effects.
Indications
Relief and prevention of bronchospasm in patients with reversible obstructive airway disease or COPD
Inhalation: Treatment of acute attacks of bronchospasm; prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm
Unlabeled use, inhalation: Adjunct in treating moderate to severe hyperkalemia in dialysis patients; seems to lower potassium concentrations when inhaled by patients on hemodialysis
Contraindications and Cautions
Contraindicated with hypersensitivity to albuterol; tachyarrhythmias, tachycardia caused by digitalis glycoside intoxication; general anesthesia with halogenated hydrocarbons or cyclopropane (these sensitize the myocardium to catecholamines); unstable vasomotor system disorders; hypertension; coronary insufficiency, CAD; history of stroke; COPD patients with degenerative heart disease.
Use cautiously with diabetes mellitus (large IV doses can aggravate diabetes and ketoacidosis); hyperthyroidism; history of seizure disorders; psychoneurotic individuals; labor and delivery (oral use has delayed second stage of labor; parenteral use of beta2-adrenergic agonists can accelerate fetal heart beat and cause hypoglycemia, hypokalemia, pulmonary edema in the mother and hypoglycemia in the neonate); lactation; the elderly (more sensitive to CNS effects).
Available Forms
Tablets—2, 4 mg; ER tabletsDNC—4, 8 mg; syrup—2 mg/5 mL; aerosol—90 mcg/actuation; solution for inhalation—0.021%, 0.042%, 0.083%, 0.5%.
Dosages
Adults
Oral
Initially, 2 or 4 mg (1–2 tsp syrup) tid–qid PO; may cautiously increase dosage if necessary to 4 or 8 mg qid, not to exceed 32 mg/day. ER tablets, 4–8 mg q 12 hr. Limit use of doses over 4 mg/qid; increase dose only if patient fails to respond.
Inhalation
Asthma, bronchospasm: 1 to 2 inhalations every 4 to 6 hr, maximum dose, 12 inhalations every 24 hr.
Prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm: 2 inhalations 15 to 30 min prior to exercise.
Solution for inhalation
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