Albuterol sulfate Drug Study

In making a Drug Study, the following elements must be present: Generic Name and the Brand name (not all brands, just the brand used by the patient), Action, Indication, Pregnancy Category, Drug Classification, and Contraindication, Adverse Effect, Drug interaction and Nursing Consideration/Intervention…. Most clinical instructors preferred this to be in a long bond paper in printed or handwritten with paper in landscape.

Albuterol sulfate

Brand Names: AccuNeb, Novo-Salmol (CAN), Proventil, Proventil HFA, Proventil Repetabs, Salbutamol (CAN), Ventodisk (CAN), Ventolin, Ventolin HFA, Volmax

Pregnancy Category C

Drug classes: Sympathomimetic drug, Beta₂-selective adrenergic agonist, Bronchodilator, Antiasthmatic drug

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

· Treatment of acute attacks of bronchospasm (inhalation)

· 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

· Contraindicated with hypersensitivity to albuterol; tachyarrhythmias, tachycardia caused by digitalis 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.

Adverse effects

Restlessness, apprehension, anxiety, fear, CNS stimulation, hyperkinesia, insomnia, tremor, drowsiness, irritability, weakness, vertigo, headache, Cardiac arrhythmias, tachycardia, palpitations, PVCs (rare), anginal pain, Sweating, pallor, flushing, Nausea, vomiting, heartburn, Respiratory difficulties, pulmonary edema, coughing, bronchospasm, paradoxical airway resistance with repeated, excessive use of inhalation preparations

Drug Interactions:

· Increased sympathomimetic effects with other sympathomimetic drugs

· Increased risk of toxicity, especially cardiac, when used with theophylline, aminophylline, oxtriphylline

· Decreased bronchodilating effects with beta-adrenergic blockers (eg, propranolol)

· Decreased effectiveness of insulin, oral hypoglycemic drugs

· Decreased serum levels and therapeutic effects of digoxin

Nursing considerations

· Use minimal doses for minimal periods; drug tolerance can occur with prolonged use.

· Maintain a beta-adrenergic blocker (cardioselective beta-blocker, such as atenolol, should be used with respiratory distress) on standby in case cardiac arrhythmias occur.

· Prepare solution for inhalation by diluting 0.5 mL 0.5% solution with 2.5 mL normal saline; deliver over 5–15 min by nebulization.

· Do not exceed recommended dosage; administer pressurized inhalation drug forms during second half of inspiration, because the airways are open wider and the aerosol distribution is more extensive.