Back to Beta-2 receptor agonists
Albuterol
Albuterol sulfate
Proventil, Ventolin
Pregnancy Category C
Drug classes
Sympathomimetic drug
Beta-2 selective adrenergic agonist
Bronchodilator
Antiasthmatic drug
Mechanism of action
In low doses, acts relatively selectively at alpha2-adrenergic receptors to cause bronchodilation and vasodilation; at higher doses, alpha2-selectivity is lost, and the drug acts at alpha1 receptors to cause typical sympathomimetic cardiac effects.
Indications
-
Relief of bronchospasm in patients with reversible obstructive airway disease
-
Prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm
-
Unlabeled use: adjunct in treating serious hyperkalemia in dialysis patients; seems to lower potassium concentrations when inhaled by patients on hemodialysis
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to albuterol;
- Tachyarrhythmias
- General anesthesia with halogenated hydrocarbons or cyclopropane (these
sensitize
the myocardium to catecholamines) - Unstable vasomotor system disorders
- Hypertension; coronary insufficiency, coronary artery disease; history
of
stroke - COPD patients who have developed degenerative heart disease
Use caution in the presence of 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 ?-adrenergic
agonists can accelerate fetal heart beat and cause hypoglycemia, hypokalemia,
pulmonary edema in the mother and hypoglycemia in the neonate); lactation.
Adverse effects
- CNS: Restlessness, apprehension, anxiety, fear, CNS stimulation, hyperkinesia, insomnia, tremor, drowsiness, irritability, weakness, vertigo, headache
- GI: Nausea, vomiting, heartburn, unusual or bad taste
- CV: Cardiac arrhythmias, tachycardia, palpitations, PVCs (rare), anginal pain
- Respiratory: Respiratory difficulties, pulmonary edema, coughing, bronchospasm, paradoxical airway resistance with repeated, excessive use of inhalation preparations
- GU: Increased incidence of leiomyomas of uterus when given in higher than human doses in preclinical studies
- Dermatologic: Sweating, pallor,
flushing
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