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.

Source: Operational Medicine 2001,  Health Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20372-5300

Gynecology and Obstetrics CD-ROM
Volumes 1-6
2004 Edition
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Copyright 2004
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