Table of Contents

Albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin, Volmax)

Category:

• Respiratory

Description:

• Antiasthmatic, bronchodilator

Indications:

• Prevention of exercise induced asthma

• Bronchospasm

Contraindications:

• Tachydysrhythmias, severe cardiac disease

Precautions:

• Pregnancy category C

• Cardiac disorders, hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, hypertension

• Prostatic hypertrophy, narrow-angle glaucoma, seizures

Adverse Reactions (Side Effects):

• CNS: anxiety, dizziness, flushing, hallucinations, headache, insomnia, irritability, restlessness, stimulation, tremors

• CV: angina, dysrhythmias, hypertension, hypotension, palpitations, tachycardia

• EENT: dry nose, irritation of nose and throat

• GI: heartburn, nausea, vomiting

• METAB: hypokalemia

• MS: inhibition of uterine contractions, muscle cramps

• RESP: cough

Dosage:

Administered orally (syrup, tablet) and via oral inhalation

Adult:

• Prevention of exercise induced asthma: 

  • INH 2 puffs 15 minutes before exercise

• Bronchospasm: 

  • INH 1-2 puffs every 4-6 hours; neb 2.5mg (3ml of 0.083% solution) 3-4 times daily; 

  • PO 2-4mg 3-4 times daily, not to exceed 8mg 4 times daily

Child (age 6-12): 

• Prevention of exercise induced asthma: 

  • INH 2 puffs 15 minutes before exercise

• Bronchospasm: 

  • PO 2mg 4 times daily, not to exceed 24mg daily (in divided doses); 

  • INH 1-2 puffs every 4-6 hours; 

  • neb 2.5mg 3-4 times daily

Child: (age 2-6): 

• Bronchospasm: 

  • PO initial, 0.1 mg/kg of body weight 3 times daily, not to exceed 2mg 3 times daily; increase to 0.2 mg/kg of body weight 3 times daily, not to exceed a max of 4mg 3 times daily; 

  • INH 0.1-0.15 mg/kg (0.12-0.18 ml/kg of 0.083% solution) every 1 hour initially, then every 4-6 hours.