Home Drug Guide Albuterol Sulfate

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Albuterol Sulfate

Brand Names Proventil, Ventolin, Ventolin Rotacaps, Volmax, Proventil-hfa, Accuneb, Ventolin Hfa, Proair Hfa, Vospire Er, Proair Respiclick, Proair Digihaler

Classification

Therapeutic: Bronchodilator

Pharmacological: SABA (Short-Acting Beta-Agonist)

FDA Approved Indications

  • Relief of bronchospasm in reversible airway obstruction in asthma and COPD.
  • Prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm.

Mechanism of Action

Albuterol is a selective beta-2 adrenergic agonist that stimulates beta-2 receptors on airway smooth muscle, leading to bronchial smooth muscle relaxation and bronchodilation.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Inhalation via metered-dose inhaler (MDI) 2 inhalations every 4 to 6 hours as needed. For nebulizer, typically 2.5 mg every 20 minutes for up to 3 doses, then as needed.

Pediatric: Inhalation via MDI or nebulizer, dose adjusted by age and weight. Usually 2 inhalations every 4 to 6 hours as needed.

Geriatric: Use with caution; start at lower end of dose range due to possible increased sensitivity and comorbidities.

Renal Impairment: Use caution; no specific dose adjustment known.

Hepatic Impairment: No specific data; use with caution.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Rapid and well-absorbed after inhalation.

Distribution: Widely distributed; crosses placenta but minimal amounts enter breast milk.

Metabolism: Primarily hepatic via conjugation.

Excretion: Excreted mainly in urine as conjugated metabolites.

Half Life: 3 to 4 hours.

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to albuterol or other beta-agonists.

Precautions

  • Use with caution in patients with tachyarrhythmias, hypertension, or history of cardiac disease. Should be used cautiously during pregnancy and lactation.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Tremor (Common)
  • Nervousness (Common)
  • Headache (Common)
  • Increased heart rate (tachycardia) (Common)
  • Palpitations (Common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Serious arrhythmias (Uncommon)
  • Hypersensitivity reactions including bronchospasm, rash, or urticaria (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • Other beta-agonists, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), tricyclic antidepressants, beta-blockers (may diminish effect or cause adverse effects)

Drug-Food Interactions

N/A

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor respiratory status, lung sounds, heart rate, and blood pressure before and during therapy.

Diagnoses:

  • Impaired airway clearance
  • Ineffective breathing pattern

Implementation: Administer via inhaler or nebulizer as prescribed. Educate patient on correct inhaler technique.

Evaluation: Assess symptom relief, peak expiratory flow rate, and adverse effects.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Instruct on correct use of inhaler or nebulizer.
  • Advise to report chest pain, tremors, or rapid heartbeat.
  • Educate that use as a rescue inhaler is common for immediate relief.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • None currently for albuterol.

Genetic Factors: Genetic variations can affect beta-adrenergic responsiveness.

Lab Test Interference: None known.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Severe tachycardia, hypokalemia, agitation, tremors, hypertension, hypoglycemia.

Treatment: Discontinue albuterol; provide supportive care; ensure cardiac and respiratory stabilization. Manage hypokalemia with potassium replacement if needed.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and direct sunlight.

Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions for the duration of the shelf life.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.